Learn Japanese N2 Kanji: 詰 (Tsumaru) – Meaning, Readings, and Usage

Learn Japanese N2 Kanji: 詰 (Tsumaru) – Meaning, Readings, and Usage

Readings: キュウ, ク (Onyomi), つまる, つめる, ちま (Kunyomi)

Meaning: To be packed, to be blocked, to be crowded, to be full

The kanji 詰 is composed of the radical 言 (言, meaning “speech” or “word”) and the phonetic component 廴 (which can indicate walking or enclosure). The original meaning related to words being blocked or stuck, leading to the sense of being packed or obstructed.

View JLPT N2 Kanji List

How to Write – Stroke Order

The kanji 詰 has 12 strokes. It starts with the 言 radical on the left, followed by the enclosure part on the right.

Kanji Details

Radical
Strokes12
JLPT LevelN2
Grade8

Readings with English Transcription

Onyomi (Chinese readings)

  • キュウ (kyuu)
  • ク (ku)

Kunyomi (Japanese readings)

  • つまる (tsumaru)
  • つめる (tsumeru)
  • ちまる (chimaru)

Common Words Using 詰

Onyomi Readings

WordReadingMeaning
詰問きつもんinterrogation, questioning
窮屈きゅうくつtight, cramped, uncomfortable
詰問責きつもんぜめquestioning relentlessly
詰寄きつきapproach, proximity (archaic)
詰問的きつもんてきinterrogative
詰腹きつぷくbursting with anger (lit. stuffed belly)
詰問家きつもんかinterrogator
詰屈きっくつstiff, awkward
詰合きつごうcongestion, jam
詰問調きつもんちょうinterrogative tone

Kunyomi Readings

WordReadingMeaning
詰まるつまるto be blocked, to be crowded, to be packed
詰めるつめるto pack, to stuff, to block
詰問つるしshame, disgrace (archaic usage, relates to being cornered)
口詰まるくちつまるto be speechless, to be tongue-tied
満員詰まんいんづめfully packed, sold out
目詰まりめづまりclogging, blockage (e.g., of pores)
詰問つるしあげるto question severely, to put on the rack
詰物つめものfilling (e.g., in dentistry), packing
詰寄せるつめよせるto close in on, to corner
詰襟きつえりstand-up collar (of a uniform)

Example Sentences

Japanese: 道が混んでいて、車が詰まっていた。

Kana: みちがこんでいて、くるがつつまっていた。

Romaji: michi ga konde ite, kuruma ga tsumatte ita.

English: The road was crowded and the cars were jammed.

Japanese: 彼は窮屈そうに椅子に座っていた。

Kana: かれはきゅうくつそうにいすにすわっていた。

Romaji: kare wa kyuukutsu sou ni isu ni suwatte ita.

English: He sat uncomfortably in the cramped chair.

Japanese: 会議室がいっぱいで、全員が詰まっていた。

Kana: かいぎしつがいっぱいで、ぜんいんがつまっていた。

Romaji: kaigishitsu ga ippai de, zen-in ga tsumatte ita.

English: The conference room was full, and everyone was packed in.

Japanese: 警察官は容疑者を詰問した。

Kana: けいさつかんはようぎしゃをきつもんした。

Romaji: keisatsukan wa yougisha o kitsumon shita.

English: The police officer interrogated the suspect.

Japanese: 煙突が詰まってしまい、煙が出なくなった。

Kana: えんとつがつまってしまい、けむりがでなくなった。

Romaji: entotsu ga tsumatte shimai, kemuri ga denaku natta.

English: The chimney became blocked, and smoke stopped coming out.

Japanese: この服は少し窮屈だ。

Kana: このふくはすこしきゅうくつだ。

Romaji: kono fuku wa sukoshi kyuukutsu da.

English: These clothes are a little tight.

Japanese: 彼は言葉に詰まって、何も言えなかった。

Kana: かれはことに つまって、なにもいえなかった。

Romaji: kare wa koto ni tsumatte, nani mo ienakatta.

English: He was lost for words and couldn’t say anything.

Japanese: ドアが詰まって開かない。

Kana: どあがつまってあかない。

Romaji: doa ga tsumatte akanai.

English: The door is stuck and won’t open.

Japanese: 彼は次から次へと質問を詰めてきた。

Kana: かれはつぎからつぎへと しつもんをつめてきた。

Romaji: kare wa tsugi kara tsugi e to shitsumon o tsumete kita.

English: He bombarded me with questions one after another.

Japanese: 袋に荷物を詰める。

Kana: ふくろににもつをつめる。

Romaji: fukuro ni nimotsu o tsumeru.

English: To pack luggage into a bag.

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