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JLPT N111画 · 11 strokesradical 貝Jōyō kanji

covet, indulge in

On'yomi (音読み)

  • タン
  • ドン
  • トン

Kun'yomi (訓読み)

  • むさぼ.る

Mnemonic

As the greedy clam (貝) dug into its treasure, it covetously indulged (貪) in the riches buried beneath the sand.

About this kanji

The kanji 貪 primarily means to covet or indulge in something. It is often used as a verb, as seen in the word 貪る (むさぼる), which means 'to covet' or 'to crave.' This kanji can also be found in several compounds. For example, 貪欲 (どんよく) means 'greedy,' highlighting a desire for more than one needs. Another example is 貪食 (どんしょく), which refers to 'voracity,' or an insatiable appetite. A usage note: while this kanji has negative connotations relating to greed and excessive desire, it is useful for expressing strong cravings in various contexts.

Example sentences

  • 彼は貪欲に財を求めた。

    He greedily sought wealth.

Meanings across languages

English
covet, indulge in
Tiếng Việt
tham lam
日本語
貪
한국어
탐욕
中文
贪
id
mendambakan, memanjakan
th
หลงใหล, ยึดติด
es
desear, indulgar
fr
convoiter, céder
de
gelüsten, verfallen
pt
cobiçar, indulgar

Common compounds

  • 貪るむさぼるto covet, to crave, to be greedy for
  • 貪欲どんよくgreedy, avaricious, covetous
  • 貪汚たんおgreed, corruption
  • 貪食どんしょくvoracity, ravenousness
  • 貪婪どんらんavarice, greed
  • 貪愛とんあいattachment, craving
  • 貪戻たんれいavariciousness and inhumanity
  • 無貪むとんnon-craving, non-coveting

Words using this kanji

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