阻: the kanji for obstruct

阻 is a JLPT N1 kanji that means obstruct. Below are its readings, 3 common words and example sentences, all with audio.

obstructMeaning

ソOn reading

はばむKun reading

8Strokes

Stroke order

阻 is written in 8 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.

Words by reading

阻 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).

ソ (so)

On reading.

Word	Meaning
阻止そし · soshi	prevention; blocking
阻害そがい · sogai	hindrance

はばむ (habamu)

Kun reading.

Word	Meaning
阻むはばむ · habamu	to block; to prevent

Example sentences for work and daily life

警察が犯人の逃走を阻止した。Keisatsu ga hannin no tōsō o soshi shita.The police prevented the criminal from escaping.
大雪が行く手を阻んだ。Ōyuki ga yukute o habanda.Heavy snow blocked our way.
規制が経済の成長を阻害している。Kisei ga keizai no seichō o sogai shite iru.Regulations are hindering economic growth.
相手の攻撃を阻止した。Aite no kōgeki o soshi shita.We blocked the opponent's attack.
連覇を阻まれた。Renpa o habamareta.We were prevented from winning a second straight title.

Questions about 阻

How many strokes does 阻 have?

阻 is written in 8 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.

What are the readings of 阻?

The on readings are so (ソ). The kun readings are habamu (はばむ).

What JLPT level is 阻?

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.