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What is the Kanji for 'Insect'? | 虫

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

The Japanese Kanji for 'Insect' is 虫.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Insect

    Reading

    kunyomiむし

    mushi

    onyomiちゅう

    chuu

    Parts

    One Center Dot

    Example Word

    虫歯: cavity. The Japanese noun '虫歯 (むしば)' refers to a dental cavity or tooth decay. It is commonly used in medical or everyday contexts to describe a condition where a tooth has been damaged by decay. For example: I have a cavity「虫歯があります」(むしばがあります). You should go to the dentist for your cavity「虫歯を治すために歯医者に行くべきです」(むしばをなおすためにはいしゃにいくべきです). The term is often associated with poor dental hygiene or excessive sugar consumption.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    6

    JLPT

    N2

    Grade

    1

    Frequency

    869

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 3 parts:

    kanji

    Meaning

    One

    kanji

    Meaning

    Center

    radical

    Meaning

    Dot

As Part Of Other Kanji

This kanji appears as part of 15 other kanji:

    kanji

    Meaning

    Strong

    kanji

    Meaning

    Wind, Style

    kanji

    Meaning

    Alone

    kanji

    Meaning

    Clamor, Boisterous

    kanji

    Meaning

    Fuse, Dissolve

    kanji

    Meaning

    Touch, Contact

    kanji

    Meaning

    Mosquito

    kanji

    Meaning

    Snake

    kanji

    Meaning

    Silkworm

    kanji

    Meaning

    Barbarian

    kanji

    Meaning

    Firefly

    kanji

    Meaning

    Cocoon

    kanji

    Meaning

    Honey

    kanji

    Meaning

    Bee

    kanji

    Meaning

    Rainbow

Words Using

This kanji is used in 2 words:

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 53 kanji contain the part 一 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Two

    kanji

    Meaning

    Three

    kanji

    Meaning

    Seven

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ten

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hundred

    kanji

    Meaning

    Up

    kanji

    Meaning

    Down

    kanji

    Meaning

    Big

    kanji

    Meaning

    Day, Sun

    kanji

    Meaning

    Soil

    kanji

    Meaning

    Heaven

    kanji

    Meaning

    Woman

    kanji

    Meaning

    Child

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ear

    kanji

    Meaning

    Mouth

    kanji

    Meaning

    Book, Origin

    kanji

    Meaning

    Correct

    kanji

    Meaning

    King

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ten thousand

    kanji

    Meaning

    Light

    kanji

    Meaning

    Same

    kanji

    Meaning

    Now

    kanji

    西

    Meaning

    West

    kanji

    Meaning

    Door

    kanji

    Meaning

    Picture

    kanji

    Meaning

    Construction

    kanji

    Meaning

    Talent, Age

    kanji

    Meaning

    Bird

    kanji

    Meaning

    Yellow

    kanji

    Meaning

    Come

    kanji

    Meaning

    Go

    kanji

    Meaning

    Fit, Match

    kanji

    Meaning

    Cold

    kanji

    Meaning

    Thing

    kanji

    Meaning

    Measurement

    kanji

    Meaning

    Street

    kanji

    Meaning

    Both

    kanji

    Meaning

    Beans

    kanji

    Meaning

    Precious

    kanji

    Meaning

    Plate

    kanji

    Meaning

    Worship

    kanji

    Meaning

    Use, Dispatch

    kanji

    Meaning

    Mutual

    kanji

    Meaning

    Again, Twice

    kanji

    Meaning

    Arrive, Climax

    kanji

    Meaning

    Military

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hill

    kanji

    Meaning

    Beast, Animal

    kanji

    Meaning

    Spirits

    kanji

    Meaning

    Guest, Vip

    kanji

    Meaning

    Two

    kanji

    Meaning

    Third, Third class

    kanji

    Meaning

    Dawn

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 6 kanji contain the part 中 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Precious

    kanji

    Meaning

    Open sea

    kanji

    Meaning

    Loyalty

    kanji

    Meaning

    Use, Dispatch

    kanji

    Meaning

    Relationship

    kanji

    Meaning

    Inmost, Inner heart

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 20 kanji contain the part 丶 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Dog

    kanji

    Meaning

    Evening

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ball, Jewel

    kanji

    Meaning

    Rain

    kanji

    Meaning

    Thick, Fat

    kanji

    Meaning

    Round

    kanji

    Meaning

    Mother

    kanji

    Meaning

    Heart

    kanji

    Meaning

    Night

    kanji

    Meaning

    Direction

    kanji

    Meaning

    Master

    kanji

    Meaning

    Measurement

    kanji

    Meaning

    Good

    kanji

    Meaning

    State

    kanji

    Meaning

    Common

    kanji

    Meaning

    Eternity

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ice

    kanji

    Meaning

    Blade

    kanji

    Meaning

    Cinnabar, Rust colored

    kanji

    Meaning

    Rice bowl

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 虫 mean?

虫 means 'Insect'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in First Grade, 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.