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What is the Kanji for 'Rot'? | 腐

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

The Japanese Kanji for 'Rot' is 腐.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Rot

    Reading

    kunyomiくさ

    kusa

    onyomi

    fu

    Parts

    Government office, Urban prefecture Meat

    Example Word

    腐る: rot. The Japanese verb '腐る (くさる)' means 'to rot' or 'to decay'. It is used to describe the process of organic matter breaking down, often due to bacterial or fungal activity. This verb can be applied to food, plants, or other organic materials. For example: the fruit rotted「果物が腐った」(くだものがくさった). The fish will rot if left out「魚は放置すると腐る」(さかなはほうちするとくさる). Additionally, '腐る' can be used metaphorically to describe something becoming morally or emotionally corrupt, though this usage is less common. For example: his heart rotted with greed「彼の心は欲望で腐った」(かれのこころはよくぼうでくさった).

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    14

    JLPT

    N1

    Grade

    7

    Frequency

    1332

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

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

    kanji

    Meaning

    Government office, Urban prefecture

    kanji

    Meaning

    Meat

Words Using

This kanji is used in 2 words:

    word

    豆腐

    Meaning

    Tofu

    word

    腐る

    Meaning

    Rot

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 20 kanji contain the part 肉 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Remove, Undress

    kanji

    Meaning

    Brain

    kanji

    Meaning

    Entrails, Viscera

    kanji

    Meaning

    Loins, Waist

    kanji

    Meaning

    Back, Height

    kanji

    Meaning

    Bone

    kanji

    Meaning

    Shoulder

    kanji

    Meaning

    Intestine

    kanji

    Meaning

    Liver

    kanji

    Meaning

    Assent, Agreement

    kanji

    Meaning

    Lung

    kanji

    Meaning

    Fat, Grease

    kanji

    Meaning

    Skin

    kanji

    Meaning

    Leg

    kanji

    Meaning

    Womb, Uterus

    kanji

    Meaning

    Limb, Arms & legs

    kanji

    Meaning

    Gallbladder, Guts

    kanji

    Meaning

    Threaten

    kanji

    Meaning

    Resemble, Resemblance

    kanji

    Meaning

    Stature, Height

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 腐 mean?

腐 means 'Rot'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Junior Highschool, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N1 exam.

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