蛇: the kanji for snake
蛇 is a JLPT N1 kanji that means snake. Below are its readings, 5 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
蛇 is written in 11 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
蛇 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).
ジャ (ja)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 大蛇だいじゃ · daija | large snake |
| 蛇口じゃぐち · jaguchi | faucet |
ダ (da)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 蛇行だこう · dakō | meandering |
| 蛇足だそく · dasoku | something superfluous |
へび (hebi)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 蛇へび · hebi | snake |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 蛇口をしっかり閉めてください。Jaguchi o shikkari shimete kudasai.Please turn the faucet off tightly.
- 草むらに蛇がいた。Kusamura ni hebi ga ita.There was a snake in the grass.
- 川が平野を蛇行して流れている。Kawa ga heiya o dakō shite nagarete iru.The river meanders across the plain.
- 最後の一言は蛇足だった。Saigo no hitokoto wa dasoku datta.The last remark was unnecessary.
- 昔話に大蛇が出てくる。Mukashibanashi ni daija ga dete kuru.A giant snake appears in the old tale.
Questions about 蛇
How many strokes does 蛇 have?
蛇 is written in 11 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 蛇?
The on readings are ja (ジャ), da (ダ). The kun readings are hebi (へび).
What JLPT level is 蛇?
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
Nature, weather and animals
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 蛇
- 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.