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道Nihongo Path
夫

夫·husband, man

On-yomi
フフウ
Kun-yomi
おっと

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
夫おっとhusband
夫婦ふうふmarried couple
工夫くふうingenuity, a clever device
大丈夫だいじょうぶall right, fine

Example sentences

  1. 夫は今、出張中です。

    おっとはいま、しゅっちょうちゅうです。

    My husband is away on a business trip right now.

  2. あの夫婦は仲がいいですね。

    あのふうふはなかがいいですね。

    That couple gets along well, don't they.

  3. もっと工夫すれば時間が短くなります。

    もっとくふうすればじかんがみじかくなります。

    If you get a bit more creative about it, it'll take less time.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 工夫 as こうふ instead of くふう
  • Using 夫 to refer to someone else's husband — for that use ご主人 or 旦那さん

Memory aid

Picture it

A grown person (大) with a pin through their topknot — an adult man of the house.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 夫 mean?