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On'yomi
KI
Kun'yomi
こぼ.つ・こわ.す・こぼ.れる・こわ.れる・そし.る・やぶ.る
kobotsu / kowasu / koboreru / kowareru / soshiru / yaburu

break · destroy · censure · be chipped · be scratched · be broken · be ruined

Details

Strokes13
Radicalweapon(4)

Stroke Order

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Strokes13

Component Breakdown

=

臼 + earth + weapon

Cultural Context

Etymology

Combines 'mortar' (臼) with 'strike' (殳), representing destroying by crushing like in a mortar.

Symbolism

Symbolizes destruction, slander, and damage. Represents physical destruction and damaging reputation.

Related Culture & Scenes

  • Destruction and rebirth

Words & Expressions

Four-Character Compounds

毀誉褒貶

きよほうへん

praise and censure; public criticisms; praise and censure

廃仏毀釈

はいぶつきしゃく

abolish Buddhism, destroy Shākyamuni (slogan of anti-Buddhist movement at the beginning of the Meiji era); abolish Buddhism, destroy Shākyamuni (slogan of anti-Buddhist movement at the beginning of the Meiji era)

哀毀骨立

あいきこつりつ

losing weight and becoming bony because of grief; losing weight and becoming bony because of grief

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 毀 mean in Japanese?

毀 means break, destroy, censure, be chipped, be scratched, be broken, be ruined.

How do you read 毀?

On'yomi: キ (KI). Kun'yomi: こぼ.つ、こわ.す、こぼ.れる、こわ.れる、そし.る、やぶ.る (kobotsu, kowasu, koboreru, kowareru, soshiru, yaburu).

How many strokes does 毀 have?

毀 has 13 strokes. Its radical is 殳 (weapon).

Is 毀 a good kanji for a tattoo?

Yes. 毀 (break, destroy, censure, be chipped, be scratched, be broken, be ruined) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.

Explore by meaning:kanji for break · kanji for destroy · kanji for censure · kanji for be ruined