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道Nihongo Path
守

守·protect, obey, guard

On-yomi
シュス
Kun-yomi
まもるもり

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
守るまもるto protect, to keep (a promise, a rule)
留守るすabsence from home
留守番るすばんlooking after the house
見守るみまもるto watch over

Example sentences

  1. 約束は必ず守ります。

    やくそくはかならずまもります。

    I always keep my promises.

  2. 昨日の夜、家は留守でした。

    きのうのよる、いえはるすでした。

    Nobody was home last night.

  3. 母は子どもを静かに見守っていた。

    はははこどもをしずかにみまもっていた。

    The mother watched over her child quietly.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 留守 as *りゅうしゅ — it is the irregular るす
  • Forgetting that rules and promises take 守る, not 続ける

Memory aid

Picture it

宀 (a roof) over 寸 (a hand's measure) — a hand held ready under the roof, guarding the house.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 守 mean?