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

Nihongo

Classroom

What is the Kanji for 'Slave'? | 隷

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

The Japanese Kanji for 'Slave' is 隷.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Slave

    Reading

    onyomiれい

    rei

    Parts

    Samurai Show, Indicate

    Example Word

    奴隷: slave. The Japanese noun '奴隷 (どれい)' refers to a 'slave', someone who is owned by another person and forced to work without personal freedom. Historically, it was used to describe individuals in servitude, often in contexts of forced labor or subjugation. In modern usage, it can also metaphorically describe someone who is excessively controlled or dominated by another, such as in a relationship or by societal pressures. Example sentences: He was treated like a slave「彼は奴隷のように扱われた」(かれはどれいのようにあつかわれた). Many people were enslaved during that era「その時代には多くの人々が奴隷にされた」(そのじだいにはおおくのひとびとがどれいにされた).

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    16

    JLPT

    N1

    Grade

    7

    Frequency

    1836

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

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

    kanji

    Meaning

    Samurai

    kanji

    Meaning

    Show, Indicate

    component

Words Using

This kanji is used in 1 word:

    word

    奴隷

    Meaning

    Slave

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 9 kanji contain the part 士 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Voice

    kanji

    Meaning

    Sell

    kanji

    Meaning

    Serve

    kanji

    Meaning

    Intention

    kanji

    Meaning

    Lucky, Good luck

    kanji

    Meaning

    Grand, Robust

    kanji

    Meaning

    Grain, Cereal

    kanji

    Meaning

    One

    kanji

    Meaning

    Article, Goodwill

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 7 kanji contain the part 示 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ritual

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ban, Prohibition

    kanji

    Meaning

    Religion

    kanji

    Meaning

    Vote, Ballot

    kanji

    Meaning

    Article, Goodwill

    kanji

    Meaning

    Company officer, Military officer

    kanji

    Meaning

    But, Nara

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 2 kanji contain the part 隶 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Catch up with, Apprehend

    kanji

    Meaning

    Healthy, Peaceful

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 隷 mean?

隷 means 'Slave'.

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.