滅: the kanji for destroy; perish
滅 is a JLPT N1 kanji that means destroy; perish. Below are its readings, 5 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
滅 is written in 13 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
滅 has 3 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 5 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
メツ (metsu)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 絶滅ぜつめつ · zetsumetsu | extinction |
| 消滅しょうめつ · shōmetsu | disappearance |
| 滅亡めつぼう · metsubō | downfall; ruin |
ほろびる (horobiru)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 滅びるほろびる · horobiru | to perish |
ほろぼす (horobosu)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 滅ぼすほろぼす · horobosu | to destroy |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 恐竜は大昔に絶滅した。Kyōryū wa ōmukashi ni zetsumetsu shita.Dinosaurs went extinct long ago.
- この国は戦争で滅びた。Kono kuni wa sensō de horobita.This country perished in war.
- ポイントの期限が切れて消滅した。Pointo no kigen ga kirete shōmetsu shita.The points expired and disappeared.
- ローマ帝国の滅亡について学んだ。Rōma teikoku no metsubō ni tsuite mananda.I learned about the fall of the Roman Empire.
- 酒で身を滅ぼしてはいけない。Sake de mi o horoboshite wa ikenai.Don't ruin yourself with drink.
Questions about 滅
How many strokes does 滅 have?
滅 is written in 13 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 滅?
The on readings are metsu (メツ). The kun readings are horobiru (ほろびる), horobosu (ほろぼす).
What JLPT level is 滅?
N1. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N1 is designed to match the former Level 1.
More JLPT N1 kanji
Movement and actions
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 滅
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.