JLPT N1 · 14 strokes
Kanji 魁: "charging ahead of others"
The kanji 魁 means "charging ahead of others". It is written with 14 strokes and belongs to JLPT level N1, read カイ in on'yomi and さきがけ, かしら in kun'yomi.
Stroke order
Strokes are written in the order of the numbers. The order is not decorative: it is what gives the character its balance, and it is also how handwriting search works in Japanese dictionaries.
Readings
On'yomi (Sino-Japanese reading)
カイ
Kun'yomi (native Japanese reading)
さきがけかしら
In a kun'yomi reading, the dot separates the kanji from its okurigana: かた.る is read かたる and written 語る. A hyphen marks a bound position, like -び in 日.
At a glance
| Meaning | charging ahead of others |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 14 |
| JLPT level | N1 |
| Taught in Japan | secondary school |
| Frequency rank | 2108 of 2,501 |
Common words with 魁
The most frequent words using this kanji, most common first, with furigana readings. Click one to open it in the reader.
- 首魁ringleader; mastermind; leader (of a plot) · forerunner; pioneer
- 花魁oiran; highest-ranking courtesan · prostitute
- 魁偉brawny; muscular; impressive; gigantic
- 巨魁ringleader; chief
- 容貌魁偉(a man) having a commanding face and a powerful physique
- 魁星first star of the Big Dipper · top applicant in the civil service examination (Imperial China)
- 花魁道中procession of oiran through a red-light district (e.g. to meet a regular client; during the Edo period)
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