Kanji

Jōyō kanji, Taught in junior high

JLPT level: N3

952 of 2500 most used kanji in newspapers

Stroke count: 14

Meaning: thong, beginning, inception, end, cord, strap, mental or emotional state

Kunyomi: いとぐち

Onyomi: ショ チョ

Composition:

Radical

Radical:

Reading: いとへん

Meaning: silk

Strokes: 6

Examples

Examples with audio

(ゆいしょ)   lineage, history, pedigree

(いっしょ)   together

(ないしょ)   secrecy, secret

(たんしょ/たんちょ)   clue, start, beginning

(じょうちょ)   emotion, feeling

臍の(へそのお)   umbilical cord

(はなお)   geta strap, sandal strap

Onyomi Examples

ショ beginning, inception

ショセン beginning of hostilities, beginning of competition

タンショ start, beginning, first step, clue

ユイショ history, pedigree, lineage

ショ beginning, inception

ショセン beginning of hostilities, beginning of competition

タンショ start, beginning, first step, clue

下町情 シタマチジョウチョ the friendly atmosphere of the traditional commercial and working-class neighborhoods

Kunyomi Examples

cord, strap, thong, string (of a musical instrument, bow, etc.)

締め おじめ string-fastener, drawstring on pouch or purse (handbag)

さげお cord for attaching a sword scabbard tightly to the obi, sword strap, sword knot

はずお hemp rope fastened from the bow of a Japanese ship to the tip of the mast

糸口 いとぐち beginning, start, first step, clue, lead, hint, thread end

糸口を開く いとぐちをひらく to find a clue, to make a beginning