溝: the kanji for ditch; gap
溝 is a JLPT N1 kanji that means ditch; gap. Below are its readings, 3 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
溝 is written in 13 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
溝 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).
コウ (kou)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 排水溝はいすいこう · haisuikō | drain |
| 海溝かいこう · kaikō | ocean trench |
みぞ (mizo)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 溝みぞ · mizo | ditch; gap |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 道の横に溝がある。Michi no yoko ni mizo ga aru.There is a ditch beside the road.
- 二人の間に溝ができた。Futari no aida ni mizo ga dekita.A rift developed between the two.
- 排水溝に葉が詰まった。Haisuikō ni ha ga tsumatta.Leaves clogged the drain.
- …日本の近くには深い海溝がある。Nihon no chikaku ni wa fukai kaikō ga aru.There are deep ocean trenches near Japan.
- タイヤの溝がすり減っている。Taiya no mizo ga surihette iru.The tire treads are worn down.
Questions about 溝
How many strokes does 溝 have?
溝 is written in 13 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 溝?
The on readings are kou (コウ). The kun readings are mizo (みぞ).
What JLPT level is 溝?
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
Places, land and buildings
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 溝
- 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.