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On'yomi
KI
Kun'yomi
う.える
ueru

hungry · starve

Details

Strokes10
Frequency#1659
Radicaleat(9)

Stroke Order

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Strokes10

Component Breakdown

=

food + table

Cultural Context

Etymology

Composed of food and table. Little food.

Symbolism

Starvation, hunger, shortage. Represents lack of food.

Related Culture & Scenes

  • Looking up at the starry sky

Words & Expressions

Proverbs & Idioms

飢えては食を択ばず

うえてはしょくをえらばず

When hungry, one cannot choose food

In desperate times, beggars can't be choosers

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 飢 mean in Japanese?

飢 means hungry, starve.

How do you read 飢?

On'yomi: キ (KI). Kun'yomi: う.える (ueru).

How many strokes does 飢 have?

飢 has 10 strokes. Its radical is 食 (eat).

Is 飢 a good kanji for a tattoo?

Yes. 飢 (hungry, starve) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.

Explore by meaning:kanji for hungry · kanji for starve