Readings: ゼツ (Onyomi), た.える, た.やす, た.つ (Kunyomi)
Meaning: To discontinue, to cut off, to cease, to sever, absolute, unparalleled
Formed from 糸 (thread) and 刀 (knife), suggesting cutting or severing.
View JLPT N3 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 絶 is written with 11 strokes. Start with the “糸” radical on the left, writing the two top dots, then the horizontal stroke, followed by the four vertical strokes and the final horizontal stroke. Then move to the right side, starting with the vertical stroke, followed by the two horizontal strokes, and ending with the final three strokes forming the blade-like component.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 糸 (いとへん) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 11 |
| JLPT Level | N3 |
| Grade | 8 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- ゼツ (Zetsu)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- た.える (tae.ru)
- た.やす (tayas.u)
- た.つ (tatsu)
Common Words Using 絶
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 絶対 | ぜったい | absolute, unconditional |
| 絶滅 | ぜつめつ | extinction |
| 絶望 | ぜつぼう | despair, hopelessness |
| 絶交 | ぜっこう | breaking off a relationship |
| 絶句 | ぜっく | becoming speechless |
| 絶好 | ぜっこう | best, ideal, perfect |
| 絶賛 | ぜっさん | high praise, extolling |
| 絶縁 | ぜつえん | insulation, breaking off relations |
| 絶壁 | ぜっぺき | cliff, precipice |
| 絶頂 | ぜっちょう | summit, peak, climax |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 絶える | たえる | to die out, to cease, to be discontinued |
| 絶やす | たやす | to exterminate, to eradicate, to let die out |
| 絶つ | たつ | to cut off, to sever, to abstain from |
| 絶ち切る | たちきる | to cut off completely, to sever ties |
| 命が絶える | いのちがたえる | to die, to lose one’s life |
| 煙が絶えない | けむりがたえない | smoke never ceases |
| 連絡が絶える | れんらくがたえる | contact is cut off |
| 言葉が絶える | ことばがたえる | to run out of words |
| 酒を絶つ | さけをたつ | to abstain from alcohol |
| 連絡を絶つ | れんらくをたつ | to sever contact |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 世界には絶滅の危機にある動物がたくさんいます。
Kana: せかいにはぜつめつのききにあるどうぶつがたくさんいます。
Romaji: Sekai ni wa zetsumetsu no kiki ni aru doubutsu ga takusan imasu.
English: There are many animals in the world on the verge of extinction.
Japanese: 彼は絶望の淵に立たされた。
Kana: かれはぜつぼうのふちにたたされた。
Romaji: Kare wa zetsubou no fuchi ni tatasareta.
English: He was driven to the depths of despair.
Japanese: どんな困難があっても、希望を絶ってはいけない。
Kana: どんなこんなんがあっても、きぼうをたってはいけない。
Romaji: Donna konnan ga atte mo, kibou wo tatte wa ikenai.
English: No matter what difficulties you face, you must not give up hope.
Japanese: 彼女は彼との連絡を絶った。
Kana: かのじょはかれとのれんらくをたった。
Romaji: Kanojo wa kare to no renraku wo tatta.
English: She cut off contact with him.
Japanese: あの景色は絶景だった。
Kana: あのけしきはぜっけいだった。
Romaji: Ano keshiki wa zekkei datta.
English: That scenery was absolutely breathtaking.
Japanese: 彼の料理は絶品だ。
Kana: かれのりょうりはぜっぴんだ。
Romaji: Kare no ryouri wa zeppin da.
English: His cooking is superb (an absolute masterpiece).
Japanese: 電源が絶たれて、機械が動かなくなった。
Kana: でんげんがたたれて、きかいがうごかなくなった。
Romaji: Dengen ga tatarete, kikai ga ugokanaku natta.
English: The power was cut off, and the machine stopped working.
Japanese: 途中で会話が絶えてしまった。
Kana: とちゅうでかいわがたえてしまった。
Romaji: Tochuu de kaiwa ga taete shimatta.
English: The conversation died out midway.
Japanese: 彼女の歌声は絶賛された。
Kana: かのじょのうたごえはぜっさんされた。
Romaji: Kanojo no utagoe wa zessan sareta.
English: Her singing voice received high praise.
Japanese: タバコを絶ってから健康になった。
Kana: タバコをたってからけんこうになった。
Romaji: Tabako wo tatte kara kenkou ni natta.
English: I became healthier after quitting smoking.
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