JLPT N1 · 7 strokes

Kanji 却: "instead, on the contrary, rather"

The kanji 却 means "instead, on the contrary, rather, step back, withdraw, retreat". It is written with 7 strokes and belongs to JLPT level N1, read キャク in on'yomi and かえ.って, しりぞ.く, しりぞ.ける in kun'yomi.

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Stroke order

1234567

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)

Kun'yomi (native Japanese reading)

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

Meaninginstead, on the contrary, rather, step back, withdraw, retreat
Strokes7
JLPT levelN1
Taught in Japansecondary school
Frequency rank959 of 2,501

Common words with 却

The most frequent words using this kanji, most common first, with furigana readings. Click one to open it in the reader.

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