Kanji

What does the kanji 哀 mean?

哀 means sorrow, grief, pity. On'yomi アイ. Kun'yomi あわ.れ、あわ.れむ、かな.しい.

Quick facts
On'yomiアイ
Kun'yomiあわ.れ、あわ.れむ、かな.しい
Strokes9
Main radical口
Level (estimated, JLPT framework)N1
On'yomi アイKun'yomi あわ.れ、あわ.れむ、かな.しい
N1 · estimated, JLPT framework9 strokes

sorrow, grief, pity

Memory hook

The cry from the mouth (口) caught in the folds of the robe (衣) — SORROW, PITY.

Main radical

口mouth 3 strokes

Stroke order · 9 strokes

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9

Common words

  • 哀れあわれpitiful, pathetic

More words with this kanji

  • 可哀想かわいそうpitiful, poor (thing)

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Data sources and licences

English meanings, On/Kun readings, stroke counts: KANJIDIC2 — Electronic Dictionary Research and Development Group (EDRDG), licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Components: KRADFILE (EDRDG). Stroke order: KanjiVG (Ulrich Apel), licensed CC BY-SA 3.0. Mnemonics written by GoMe.

Voice: VOICEVOX Nemo.

N5–N1 levels on this page are estimates based on the JLPT framework, drawn from community benchmarks. GoMe Nihongo is not affiliated with the Japan Foundation or JEES, which administer the JLPT.