Readings: セキ (Onyomi), (Kunyomi)
Meaning: Counter for ships, boats, fish, birds, textiles; one of a pair
The kanji 隻 originates from a pictogram depicting a bird with only one leg (a common depiction for birds standing or landing). This imagery evolved to signify “one of a pair” or a single item, especially for large objects or vessels, thus becoming a counter.
View JLPT N2 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 隻 consists of 10 strokes. The left radical is the “left” radical (left half of 隻) and the right radical is the “old bird” radical (隹).
Kanji Details
| Radical | 隹 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 10 |
| JLPT Level | N2 |
| Grade | Unassigned |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- セキ (Seki)
Common Words Using 隻
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 一隻 | いっせき | one ship/boat/vessel |
| 二隻 | にせき | two ships/boats/vessels |
| 数隻 | すうせき | several ships/boats/vessels |
| 隻眼 | せきがん | one-eyed |
| 隻手 | せきしゅ | one hand |
| 隻脚 | せききゃく | one leg |
| 隻腕 | せきわん | one arm |
| 隻語 | せきご | a single word, a brief remark |
| 隻影 | せきえい | a lone figure, a solitary shadow |
| 隻身 | せきしん | alone, solitary |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 港に大型船が一隻停泊していた。
Kana: みなとにおおがたせんがいっせきていはくしていた。
Romaji: Minato ni ōgatansen ga isseki teihaku shite ita.
English: A large ship was anchored in the harbor.
Japanese: 彼は隻眼の剣士として知られている。
Kana: かれはせきがんのけんしとしてしられている。
Romaji: Kare wa sekigan no kenshi to shite shira rete iru.
English: He is known as a one-eyed swordsman.
Japanese: 古い漁船が数隻、沖に浮かんでいた。
Kana: ふるいぎょせんがすうせき、おきにうかんでいた。
Romaji: Furui gyosen ga sūseki, oki ni ukande ita.
English: Several old fishing boats were floating offshore.
Japanese: その島へは船でわずか一隻しか行けない。
Kana: そのしまへはふねでわずかいっせきしかいけない。
Romaji: Sono shima e wa fune de wazuka isseki shika ikenai.
English: Only one ship can go to that island.
Japanese: 彼女は隻腕で全ての家事をこなす。
Kana: かのじょはせきわんですべてのかじをこなす。
Romaji: Kanojo wa sekiwan de subete no kaji o konasu.
English: She manages all household chores with one arm.
Japanese: 大航海時代には多くの探検船が隻身で旅に出た。
Kana: だいこうかいじだいにはおおくのたんけんせんがせきしんでたびにでた。
Romaji: Daikōkaijidai ni wa ōku no tankensen ga sekishin de tabi ni deta.
English: In the Age of Discovery, many exploration ships set out on journeys alone.
Japanese: 彼の隻語が私に深い感銘を与えた。
Kana: かれのせきごがわたしにふかいかんめいをあたえた。
Romaji: Kare no sekigo ga watashi ni fukai kanmei o ataeta.
English: His single word left a deep impression on me.
Japanese: 伝説の海賊船はわずか三隻で大艦隊を打ち破った。
Kana: でんせつのかいぞくせんはずわかさんせきでだいかんたいをうちやぶった。
Romaji: Densetsu no kaizokusen wa wazuka sanseki de daikantai o uchiyabutta.
English: The legendary pirate ship defeated a large fleet with just three vessels.
Japanese: その事故で彼は隻脚となった。
Kana: そのじこでかれはせききゃくとなった。
Romaji: Sono jiko de kare wa sekikyaku to natta.
English: He became one-legged due to that accident.
Japanese: 夜の海に隻影が揺れていた。
Kana: よるのうみにせきえいがゆれていた。
Romaji: Yoru no umi ni sekiei ga yurete ita.
English: A solitary shadow was swaying on the night sea.
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