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道Nihongo Path
枯

枯·wither

On-yomi
コ
Kun-yomi
か(れる)か(らす)

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

9 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
枯れるかれるto wither, to die (of plants)
枯葉かれはdead leaves
枯渇こかつdepletion
木枯らしこがらしcold winter wind

Example sentences

  1. 水をやらないと花が枯れてしまう。

    みずをやらないとはながかれてしまう。

    If you don't water them the flowers will wither.

  2. 庭が枯葉でいっぱいになった。

    にわがかれはでいっぱいになった。

    The garden filled up with dead leaves.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 枯葉 as こよう — the everyday word is かれは
  • 枯れる is plants drying up; 乾く is laundry and air drying out

Memory aid

Picture it

木 (tree) beside 古 (old): an old tree with nothing green left on it.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 枯 mean?