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道Nihongo Path
夏

夏·summer

On-yomi
カゲ
Kun-yomi
なつ

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
夏なつsummer
夏休みなつやすみsummer vacation
真夏まなつmidsummer
初夏しょかearly summer

Example sentences

  1. 日本の夏はとても暑いです。

    にほんのなつはとてもあついです。

    Summer in Japan is very hot.

  2. 夏休みに海へ行きたいです。

    なつやすみにうみへいきたいです。

    I want to go to the sea during summer vacation.

  3. 真夏の昼は外に出たくありません。

    まなつのひるはそとにでたくありません。

    In midsummer I don't want to go outside at midday.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 夏休み as *かやすみ instead of なつやすみ

Memory aid

Picture it

A head on top with legs dragging below — trudging along in the summer heat.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 夏 mean?