JLPT N1 · 18 strokes
Kanji 鯉: "carp"
The kanji 鯉 means "carp". It is written with 18 strokes and belongs to JLPT level N1, read リ in on'yomi and こい 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)
リ
Kun'yomi (native Japanese reading)
こい
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 | carp |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 18 |
| JLPT level | N1 |
| Taught in Japan | secondary school |
| Frequency rank | 2369 of 2,501 |
Common words with 鯉
The most frequent words using this kanji, most common first, with furigana readings. Click one to open it in the reader.
- 鯉common carp (Cyprinus carpio); koi carp
- 鯉口を切るto loosen one's sword slightly in the scabbard
- 鯉口opening of a scabbard; mouth of a sword sheath · style of shirt with carp-mouth shaped sleeves
- 錦鯉coloured carp; colored carp
- 鯉のぼりkoinobori; carp streamer; carp-shaped windsock traditionally flown to celebrate the Children's Day in May
- 緋鯉red carp; golden carp
- まな板の鯉someone doomed to their fate; fish on the chopping board
- 真鯉black carp; black koi
- 養鯉carp breeding
- 似鯉Hemibarbus barbus (species of cyprinid)
- 寒鯉koi carp caught during the cold season
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