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JLPT N13画 · 3 strokesradical 巾

towel, hanging scroll, width, cloth radical (no. 50)

On'yomi (音読み)

  • キン
  • フク

Kun'yomi (訓読み)

  • おお.い
  • ちきり
  • きれ

Mnemonic

Imagine a giant towel hanging down like a scroll, wide enough to cover an entire wall, reminding you of the kanji for cloth.

About this kanji

The kanji 「巾」 primarily means 'width' and is often associated with various types of cloth. It is typically used as a noun, referring to items related to fabric or measurements. Some common compounds include 雑巾 (ぞうきん), which means 'house-cloth' used for cleaning, and 布巾 (ふきん), a 'dish towel' for drying dishes. Another interesting compound is 頭巾 (ずきん), referring to a type of headgear made from cloth. A usage note: knowing this kanji can help you understand words related to textiles and measurements in everyday conversations.

Example sentences

  • 布巾でテーブルを拭く。

    I wipe the table with a cloth.

Meanings across languages

English
towel, hanging scroll, width, cloth radical (no. 50)
Tiếng Việt
khăn, chiều rộng
日本語
한국어
수건
中文
id
handuk, gulung gantung, lebar, radikal kain (no. 50)
th
ผ้าเช็ดตัว, ป้ายแขวน, ความกว้าง, เรดิคัลผ้า (หมายเลข 50)
es
toalla, pancarta colgante, ancho, radical de tela (n.º 50)
fr
serviette, rouleau suspendu, largeur, radical en tissu (n° 50)
de
Handtuch, hängende Rolle, Breite, Stoffradikal (Nr. 50)
pt
toalha, pano pendurado, largura, radical do pano (n° 50)

Common compounds

  • 雑巾ぞうきんhouse-cloth, dust cloth
  • 布巾ふきんdish towel, tea towel, dishcloth
  • 頭巾ずきんheadgear (esp. one made of cloth), hood, kerchief
  • 巾着きんちゃくdrawstring purse, money pouch, pouch of fried tofu stuffed with var. ingredients, used in oden
  • 肩巾ひれshawl (on shoulder of woman's dress)
  • 茶巾ちゃきんtea cloth, tea napkin
  • 脛巾はばきleggings, gaiters
  • 手巾しゅきん(hand) towel, handkerchief

Want to actually learn this kanji?

The dictionary is one view. The Kanji 360 app wraps every character with mnemonic images, audio readings, stroke-order animation, story context, and SRS scheduling — free to start on iPhone, iPad, and Android.