裂: the kanji for tear; split
裂 is a JLPT N1 kanji that means tear; split. Below are its readings, 6 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
裂 is written in 12 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
裂 has 3 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 6 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
レツ (retsu)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 破裂はれつ · haretsu | bursting |
| 分裂ぶんれつ · bunretsu | split; division |
| 決裂けつれつ · ketsuretsu | breakdown (of talks) |
さく (saku)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 裂くさく · saku | to tear; to rip |
さける (sakeru)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 裂けるさける · sakeru | to tear; to split |
| 裂け目さけめ · sakeme | tear; crack |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 水道管が破裂した。Suidōkan ga haretsu shita.A water pipe burst.
- 交渉は決裂した。Kōshō wa ketsuretsu shita.The negotiations broke down.
- 布を二つに裂いた。Nuno o futatsu ni saita.I tore the cloth in two.
- ズボンが裂けてしまった。Zubon ga sakete shimatta.My pants ripped.
- 細胞が分裂して増える。Saibō ga bunretsu shite fueru.Cells multiply by dividing.
Questions about 裂
How many strokes does 裂 have?
裂 is written in 12 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 裂?
The on readings are retsu (レツ). The kun readings are saku (さく), sakeru (さける).
What JLPT level is 裂?
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 裂
- 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.