蛍: the kanji for firefly
蛍 is a JLPT N1 kanji that means firefly. Below are its readings, 3 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
蛍 is written in 11 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
蛍 has 2 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 3 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
ケイ (kei)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 蛍光灯けいこうとう · keikōtō | fluorescent light |
| 蛍光ペンけいこうぺん · keikōpen | highlighter |
ほたる (hotaru)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 蛍ほたる · hotaru | firefly |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 川辺で蛍が光っていた。Kawabe de hotaru ga hikatte ita.Fireflies were glowing by the river.
- 大事な所に蛍光ペンで線を引いた。Daiji na tokoro ni keikōpen de sen o hiita.I marked the important parts with a highlighter.
- 部屋の蛍光灯が切れた。Heya no keikōtō ga kireta.The fluorescent light in my room burned out.
- 六月に蛍を見に行った。Rokugatsu ni hotaru o mi ni itta.I went to see fireflies in June.
- 卒業式で「蛍の光」を歌った。Sotsugyōshiki de "Hotaru no Hikari" o utatta.We sang "Hotaru no Hikari" at graduation.
Questions about 蛍
How many strokes does 蛍 have?
蛍 is written in 11 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 蛍?
The on readings are kei (ケイ). The kun readings are hotaru (ほたる).
What JLPT level is 蛍?
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
Nature, weather and animals
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 蛍
- 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.