部
Components
爪 means 'claw'
Additional readings
On ソウ
Notes
爪 is more common as a component than on its own, usually in the form ⺤. In mnemonics we often use it a verb, ie 'to claw (in)'.
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Delving into the 爪 kanji introduces you to rich idiomatic expressions about a wide range of things: following in people's footsteps, not showing off, preparing to defeat opponents, saving money (sometimes to extremes), and bearing scars after traumas. This new addition to the Joyo set is a prevalent radical that's useful to know, but the variants can be hard to recognize unless you've learned what they are.
Synopsis of
Radical Note for 爪 ⇗
by
Joy o' Kanji
See also
瓜 melon
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Most useful words by reading
In the most useful 10,000 words in Japanese, 爪 is used 2 times, read 2 ways.
Across all words in Japanese, 爪 is used 62 times, read 3 ways (with 1 variation).
Note: kanji quick view shows the most useful word for each reading which is also the most common variant, and in the 10,000 most useful words in Japanese. Words shown here draw from all words in Japanese and include less common forms.
ソウ
: 5 words
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noun
1. claws and fangs; claws and tusks2. clutches; devious design; means of causing harm; weapon
(click the word to view an additional 2 meanings, examples and links)
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つめ
: 31 words
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noun
1. nail (e.g. fingernail, toenail); claw; talon; hoof2. plectrum; pick
(click the word to view an additional 1 meaning, examples and links)
2
3
TEST
つま-
(read as つま)
: 15 words
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to strum; to pluck the strings (of a guitar)
(click the word for examples and links)
8
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つめ
(read as づめ)
: 11 words
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