Learn Japanese while reading Manga with our new Manga Reader Tool!

Nihongo

Classroom

What is the Kanji for 'Equal' and 'Counter for animals'? | 匹

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Equal' and 'Counter for animals', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Equal' and 'Counter for animals' is 匹.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Equal, Counter for animals

    Reading

    kunyomiひき

    hiki

    onyomiひつ

    hitsu

    Parts

    Legs

    Example Word

    匹: counter. The Japanese suffix '匹 (ひき)' is a counter used for small animals, such as cats, dogs, fish, and insects. It is one of the most common counters in Japanese and is essential for counting animals. The reading 'ひき' changes depending on the number it follows due to rendaku (voicing) and phonetic rules. For example: one cat「猫一匹」(ねこいっぴき), two dogs「犬二匹」(いぬにひき), three fish「魚三匹」(さかなさんびき). Note that the counter does not change based on the size of the animal, but rather the category (small animals). This suffix is widely used in everyday conversation and is a fundamental part of Japanese counting systems.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    4

    JLPT

    N2

    Grade

    7

    Frequency

    1326

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

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

    component

    radical

    Meaning

    Legs

As Part Of Other Kanji

This kanji appears as part of one other kanji:

    kanji

    Meaning

    Extremely, Tremendously

Words Using

This kanji is used in 1 word:

    word

    Meaning

    Counter

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 12 kanji contain the part 儿 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Four

    kanji

    Meaning

    See

    kanji

    Meaning

    Before, Previous

    kanji

    Meaning

    Light

    kanji

    Meaning

    Older brother

    kanji

    西

    Meaning

    West

    kanji

    Meaning

    Origin

    kanji

    Meaning

    Excuse, Exempt

    kanji

    Meaning

    Child

    kanji

    Meaning

    Overcome

    kanji

    Meaning

    Demon, Ogre

    kanji

    Meaning

    Tiger

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 匹 mean?

匹 means 'Equal' and 'Counter for animals'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Junior Highschool, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N2 exam.

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