Readings: ヒツ (Onyomi), ひき, びき, ぴき (Kunyomi)
Meaning: Counter for small animals (fish, insects, dogs, cats, etc.); pair; equal
A pictogram of two horses standing side by side, suggesting a pair or “equal.” It later evolved to be used as a general counter for animals, fish, and insects.
View JLPT N2 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 匹 has 4 strokes. It starts with the top-left hook, followed by the horizontal stroke, then the vertical stroke, and finally the bottom-left hook.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 匸 (かくしがまえ) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 4 |
| JLPT Level | N2 |
| Grade | Grade 2 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- ヒツ (Hitsu)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- ひき (hiki)
- びき (biki)
- ぴき (piki)
Common Words Using 匹
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 匹敵 | ひってき | Rivalry; match; competition; being a match for |
| 匹夫 | ひっぷ | Common man; simpleton |
| 匹婦 | ひっぷ | Common woman |
| 匹馬 | ひつば | A single horse |
| 匹敵者 | ひってきしゃ | Rival; competitor |
| 匹敵する | ひってきする | To rival; to match |
| 匹鳥 | ひつちょう | A single bird (rare) |
| 匹布 | ひっぷ | A bolt of cloth (historical) |
| 匹対 | ひったい | To be comparable to (rare) |
| 匹敵物 | ひってきもの | A rival item/thing |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 一匹 | いっぴき | One (small animal, fish, insect, etc.) |
| 二匹 | にひき | Two (small animals, fish, insects, etc.) |
| 三匹 | さんびき | Three (small animals, fish, insects, etc.) |
| 四匹 | よんひき | Four (small animals, fish, insects, etc.) |
| 五匹 | ごひき | Five (small animals, fish, insects, etc.) |
| 六匹 | ろっぴき | Six (small animals, fish, insects, etc.) |
| 七匹 | ななひき | Seven (small animals, fish, insects, etc.) |
| 八匹 | はっぴき | Eight (small animals, fish, insects, etc.) |
| 九匹 | きゅうひき | Nine (small animals, fish, insects, etc.) |
| 何匹 | なんびき | How many (small animals, fish, insects, etc.) |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 犬が三匹います。
Kana: いぬがさんびきいます。
Romaji: Inu ga sanbiki imasu.
English: There are three dogs.
Japanese: 猫が一匹寝ています。
Kana: ねこがいっぴきねています。
Romaji: Neko ga ippiki neteimasu.
English: One cat is sleeping.
Japanese: 魚を何匹釣りましたか？
Kana: さかなをなんびきつりましたか？
Romaji: Sakana o nanbiki tsurimashita ka?
English: How many fish did you catch?
Japanese: 公園でたくさんの鳥を見ました。五匹くらいいたでしょう。
Kana: こうえんでたくさんのとりをみました。ごひきぐらいいでしょう。
Romaji: Kouen de takusan no tori o mimashita. Gohiki gurai ita deshou.
English: I saw many birds in the park. There were probably about five.
Japanese: このチームに匹敵する相手はいない。
Kana: このチームにひってきするあいてはいない。
Romaji: Kono chiimu ni hitteki suru aite wa inai.
English: There is no opponent who can rival this team.
Japanese: あの虫は小さいけれど、二匹いると少し怖い。
Kana: あのむしはちいさいけれど、にひきいるとすこしこわい。
Romaji: Ano mushi wa chiisai keredo, nihiki iru to sukoshi kowai.
English: That insect is small, but if there are two, it’s a little scary.
Japanese: 彼女の歌唱力はプロに匹敵する。
Kana: かのじょのかしょうりょくはプロにひってきする。
Romaji: Kanojo no kashouryoku wa puro ni hitteki suru.
English: Her singing ability rivals that of a professional.
Japanese: ペットショップで子猫が七匹売られていた。
Kana: ペットショップでこねこがななひきうられていた。
Romaji: Petto shoppu de koneko ga nanahiki urarete ita.
English: Seven kittens were being sold at the pet shop.
Japanese: 昔々、ある村に大きな鬼が八匹住んでいました。
Kana: むかしむかし、あるむらに大きなおにがはっぴきすんでいました。
Romaji: Mukashi mukashi, aru mura ni ookina oni ga happiki sunde imashita.
English: Once upon a time, eight large demons lived in a certain village.
Japanese: 飼っている金魚は全部で十匹です。
Kana: かっているきんぎょはぜんぶでじゅっぴきです。
Romaji: Katte iru kingyo wa zenbu de juppiki desu.
English: I have ten goldfish in total.
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