竹
竹·bamboo
- On-yomi
- チク
- Kun-yomi
- たけ
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 竹 | たけ | bamboo |
| 竹林 | ちくりん | bamboo grove |
| 竹刀 | しない | bamboo sword (for kendo) |
| 爆竹 | ばくちく | firecracker |
Example sentences
この家の庭には竹が生えている。
このいえのにわにはたけがはえている。
Bamboo grows in this house's garden.
京都の竹林はとても静かで美しい。
きょうとのちくりんはとてもしずかでうつくしい。
The bamboo groves of Kyoto are very quiet and beautiful.
兄は毎週、竹刀を持って練習に行く。
あにはまいしゅう、しないをもってれんしゅうにいく。
My older brother goes to practice every week with his bamboo sword.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
- 竹𥫗As a radical on top of other kanji (笑, 答, 管) 竹 is flattened into 𥫗 — the same two leaves, squashed.
Common mistakes
- Reading 竹刀 as *たけがたな — it is the irregular reading しない
- Confusing 竹 with 竺 or the flattened bamboo radical in 笛, 箱
Memory aid
Picture it
Two bamboo stalks side by side, each with a leaf drooping off to the right.
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 3 of 5
What does the kanji 竹 mean?