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道Nihongo Path
箱

箱·box, case

On-yomi
none
Kun-yomi
はこ

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
箱はこbox
ゴミ箱ごみばこtrash can
本箱ほんばこbookcase
箱入りはこいりboxed, sold in a box

Example sentences

  1. この箱は重いです。

    このはこはおもいです。

    This box is heavy.

  2. 紙はゴミ箱に捨ててください。

    かみはごみばこにすててください。

    Please throw the paper in the trash can.

  3. お土産を箱に入れて送りました。

    おみやげをはこにいれておくりました。

    I put the souvenirs in a box and sent them.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading compounds like ゴミ箱 and 本箱 with はこ instead of the voiced ばこ
  • Writing the top as 艹 (grass) rather than 竹 (bamboo)

Memory aid

Picture it

Bamboo (竹) over 相 — boxes were woven from bamboo strips, so the lid of the kanji is bamboo.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 箱 mean?