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JLPT N112画 · 12 strokesradical 糸freq #1288

strangle, constrict, wring

On'yomi (音読み)

  • コウ

Kun'yomi (訓読み)

  • しぼ.る
  • し.める
  • し.まる

Mnemonic

As the thread (糸) is pulled tightly, the neck of the cloth constricts and strangles the moisture, making it wring out.

About this kanji

The kanji 絞 means to strangle, constrict, or wring. It is often used as a verb, such as in 絞る (しぼる), which means to wring something out. It can also be seen in compounds like 絞り (しぼり), referring to the process of wringing, or お絞り (おしぼり), which is a wet towel provided at restaurants. Another verb, 絞り込む (しぼりこむ), means to squeeze or concentrate something. A more serious usage is 絞殺 (こうさつ), which refers to strangling someone to death. Remember that the kun'yomi readings often relate to manual actions like squeezing or wringing, making this kanji quite practical in everyday contexts.

Example sentences

  • 彼は首を絞められた。

    He was choked.

Meanings across languages

English
strangle, constrict, wring
Tiếng Việt
siết cổ, co thắt, vặn
日本語
絞る, 締め付ける, 絞る
한국어
조이다, 수축하다, 짠다
中文
绞, 收缩, 拧
id
mencekik
th
บีบ
es
estrangular, constricir
fr
étrangler, constrictor
de
erledigen, verengen
pt
estrangular

Common compounds

  • 絞りしぼりshibori, tie-dye, tie-dyeing
  • 絞るしぼるto wring (towel, rag), to squeeze, to squeeze (fruit to extract juice)
  • お絞りおしぼりwet towel (supplied at table), hot, moistened hand towel
  • 絞り込むしぼりこむto squeeze, to wring out, to narrow down
  • 絞殺こうさつstrangling (to death), strangulation
  • 絞めるしめるto strangle, to constrict
  • 絞首刑こうしゅけいdeath by hanging, execution by hanging
  • 振り絞るふりしぼるto use to the full (one's voice, energy, etc.), to muster all of (one's strength, courage, etc.), to summon all of

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