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What is the Kanji for 'Retrace the past' and 'Go upstream'? | 遡

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Retrace the past' and 'Go upstream', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Retrace the past' and 'Go upstream' is 遡.

    kanji

    遡

    Meaning

    Retrace the past, Go upstream

    Reading

    kunyomiさかのぼ

    sakanobo

    onyomiさく

    saku

    そ

    so

    Parts

    辶Walk 朔

    Example Word

    遡る: go back or trace back. The Japanese verb '遡る (さかのぼる)' primarily means 'to go back' or 'to trace back' in time or to a point of origin. It is often used to describe retracing steps, revisiting past events, or exploring the origins of something. For example: Let's trace back the history of this tradition「この伝統の歴史を遡りましょう」(このでんとうのれきしをさかのぼりましょう). The river flows back to its source「その川は源まで遡る」(そのかわはみなもとまでさかのぼる). This verb can be used in both literal and figurative contexts, making it versatile in describing time, history, or even physical paths.

    Radical

    辵

    Stroke Count

    13

    JLPT

    Unknown

    Grade

    10

    Frequency

    2060

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji 遡

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

    radical

    辶

    Meaning

    Walk

    component

    朔

Words Using 遡

This kanji is used in 1 word:

    word

    遡る

    Meaning

    Go back, Trace back

Kanji Related to 遡 Through the Part 辶

These 18 kanji contain the part 辶 as well.

    kanji

    通

    Meaning

    Commute, Pass

    kanji

    道

    Meaning

    Way

    kanji

    返

    Meaning

    Return

    kanji

    遊

    Meaning

    Play

    kanji

    連

    Meaning

    Take along

    kanji

    逃

    Meaning

    Escape

    kanji

    適

    Meaning

    Suitable

    kanji

    追

    Meaning

    Follow

    kanji

    辺

    Meaning

    Boundary, Vicinity

    kanji

    途

    Meaning

    Way, Route

    kanji

    迫

    Meaning

    Urge, Press

    kanji

    迷

    Meaning

    Perplexed, Astray

    kanji

    遍

    Meaning

    All over, Everywhere

    kanji

    避

    Meaning

    Avoid, Dodge

    kanji

    透

    Meaning

    Pass through, Transparent

    kanji

    迭

    Meaning

    Alternate

    kanji

    逓

    Meaning

    Relay, Parcel post

    kanji

    遜

    Meaning

    Humble

Learn the Kanji 遡

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 遡 mean?

遡 means 'Retrace the past' and 'Go upstream'.

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

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