渋: the kanji for astringent; reluctant
渋 is a JLPT N1 kanji that means astringent; reluctant. Below are its readings, 5 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
渋 is written in 11 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
渋 has 4 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).
ジュウ (juu)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 渋滞じゅうたい · jūtai | traffic jam |
| 苦渋くじゅう · kujū | bitterness; agony |
しぶ (shibu)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 渋しぶ · shibu | astringent juice |
しぶい (shibui)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 渋いしぶい · shibui | astringent; tasteful |
しぶる (shiburu)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 渋るしぶる · shiburu | to hesitate; to be reluctant |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 連休で高速道路が渋滞した。Renkyū de kōsoku dōro ga jūtai shita.The expressway was jammed during the holidays.
- このお茶は少し渋い。Kono ocha wa sukoshi shibui.This tea is a little bitter.
- 父は渋い色の服が好きだ。Chichi wa shibui iro no fuku ga suki da.My father likes clothes in subdued colors.
- 彼はお金を出すのを渋った。Kare wa okane o dasu no o shibutta.He was reluctant to pay.
- 社長は苦渋の決断をした。Shachō wa kujū no ketsudan o shita.The president made an agonizing decision.
Questions about 渋
How many strokes does 渋 have?
渋 is written in 11 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 渋?
The on readings are juu (ジュウ). The kun readings are shibu (しぶ), shibui (しぶい), shiburu (しぶる).
What JLPT level is 渋?
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
Qualities and conditions
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 渋
- 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.