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What is the Kanji for 'Death'? | 死

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Death', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Death' is 死.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Death

    Reading

    kunyomi

    shi

    onyomi

    shi

    Parts

    Spoon Bad

    Example Word

    死亡: death. The Japanese verbal noun '死亡 (しぼう)' means 'death'. It is used to refer to the act or state of dying, often in formal or official contexts such as medical, legal, or statistical reports. For example: The cause of death was a heart attack「死亡の原因は心臓発作でした」(しぼうのげんいんはしんぞうほっさでした). The number of deaths increased last year「死亡者数は去年増加しました」(しぼうしゃすうはきょねんぞうかしました). This term is neutral in tone and is commonly used in serious or factual contexts.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    6

    JLPT

    N4

    Grade

    3

    Frequency

    120

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    radical

    Meaning

    Spoon

    radical

    Meaning

    Bad

As Part Of Other Kanji

This kanji appears as part of one other kanji:

    kanji

    Meaning

    Bury, Burial

Words Using

This kanji is used in 12 words:

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 9 kanji contain the part 匕 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    North

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ability

    kanji

    Meaning

    Change

    kanji

    Meaning

    Old, Aged

    kanji

    Meaning

    Purport, Delicious

    kanji

    Meaning

    Nun, Priestess

    kanji

    Meaning

    One

    kanji

    Meaning

    Fragrance, Scent

    kanji

    Meaning

    Approximate

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 5 kanji contain the part 歹 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Remainder

    kanji

    Meaning

    File

    kanji

    Meaning

    Special, Especially

    kanji

    Meaning

    Die a martyr, Martyr

    kanji

    Meaning

    Multiply

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 死 mean?

死 means 'Death'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Third Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N4 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.