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道Nihongo Path
罪

罪·crime, sin

On-yomi
ザイ
Kun-yomi
つみ

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
罪つみsin, crime, guilt
無罪むざいinnocence, not guilty
犯罪はんざいcrime
罪人ざいにんa criminal, a sinner

Example sentences

  1. 彼は自分の罪を認めた。

    かれはじぶんのつみをみとめた。

    He admitted his crime.

  2. 裁判所は無罪を言い渡した。

    さいばんしょはむざいをいいわたした。

    The court returned a verdict of not guilty.

  3. この町は犯罪が少ない。

    このまちははんざいがすくない。

    There is little crime in this town.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 犯罪 as *はんつみ
  • Confusing 罪 (the offense) with 罰 (the penalty for it)

Memory aid

Picture it

The net (罒) of the law dropped over 非 (wrong) — wrongdoing caught and held.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 罪 mean?