Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of weapon and two hands. Holding weapon with both hands in vigilance.
Symbolism
Precept, vigilance, admonition. Represents self-control and warning.
Spiritual Meaning
Represents Buddhist precepts, self-discipline and abstinence for spiritual cultivation.
Component Breakdown
halberd + 廾
Words & Expressions
Words written with 戒
Four-Character Compounds
斎戒沐浴
さいかいもくよく
purification; washing
一罰百戒
いちばつひゃっかい
punishing a crime to make an example for others
Proverbs & Idioms
他山の石以て玉を攻むべし
たざんのいしもってたまをおさむべし
Use stones from other mountains to polish your jade
Learn from the mistakes of others as a warning for yourself
Anime & Manga
七つの大罪 戒めの復活
The Seven Deadly Sins: Revival of the Commandments
A well-known work with 戒 in its Japanese title.
逆境無頼カイジ 破戒録篇
Kaiji - Against All Rules
A well-known work with 戒 in its Japanese title.
Other kanji with the same meaning
“commandment”
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 戒 mean in Japanese?
戒 means commandment.
How do you read 戒?
On'yomi: カイ (KAI). Kun'yomi: いまし.める (imashimeru).
How many strokes does 戒 have?
戒 has 7 strokes. Its radical is 戈 (halberd).
Is 戒 a good kanji for a tattoo?
戒 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means commandment. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.
Explore by meaning:commandment