窮: the kanji for extreme; distress
窮 is a JLPT N1 kanji that means extreme; distress. Below are its readings, 5 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
窮 is written in 15 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
窮 has 3 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).
キュウ (kyuu)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 窮屈きゅうくつ · kyūkutsu | cramped; uncomfortable |
| 困窮こんきゅう · konkyū | poverty; distress |
| 窮地きゅうち · kyūchi | predicament |
きわめる (kiwameru)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 窮めるきわめる · kiwameru | to master; to go to the limit |
きわまる (kiwamaru)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 窮まるきわまる · kiwamaru | to reach an extreme |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- この服は少し窮屈だ。Kono fuku wa sukoshi kyūkutsu da.These clothes are a little tight.
- 友だちに窮地を救ってもらった。Tomodachi ni kyūchi o sukutte moratta.A friend got me out of a tight spot.
- 生活に困窮する人を支援する。Seikatsu ni konkyū suru hito o shien suru.We support people in financial hardship.
- 進退窮まって助けを求めた。Shintai kiwamatte tasuke o motometa.At a dead end, I asked for help.
- 窮屈な規則に縛られたくない。Kyūkutsu na kisoku ni shibararetakunai.I don't want to be bound by rigid rules.
Questions about 窮
How many strokes does 窮 have?
窮 is written in 15 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 窮?
The on readings are kyuu (キュウ). The kun readings are kiwameru (きわめる), kiwamaru (きわまる).
What JLPT level is 窮?
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 窮
- 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.