殺
kill · murder · butcher · slice off · split · diminish · reduce · spoil
Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of weapon, tree, and cross. Striking with weapon.
Symbolism
Murder, kill, assassinate. Represents killing.
Related Culture & Scenes
- — Ice crystals
Component Breakdown
杀 + weapon
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
生殺与奪
せいさつよだつ
(having) life-and-death power (over)
活殺自在
かっさつじざい
the power of life or death
殺生禁断
せっしょうきんだん
prohibition against hunting and fishing
一殺多生
いっさつたしょう
it is justifiable to kill one person to save the lives of many
矯角殺牛
きょうかくさつぎゅう
trying to straighten the horns of a bull, and killing it in the process; trying to correct a small defect and ruining the whole thing; the cure is worse than the disease
Proverbs & Idioms
殺すと活かすは紙一重
ころすといかすはかみひとえ
To kill or let live is a hair's breadth
The line between ruin and success is thin
Anime & Manga
暗殺教室
Assassination Classroom
'Assassination' in the title; unique premise where students must assassinate their teacher.
殺戮の天使
Angels of Death
A well-known work with 殺 in its Japanese title.
世界最高の暗殺者、異世界貴族に転生する
The World's Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated in Another World as an Aristocrat
A well-known work with 殺 in its Japanese title.
暗殺者である俺のステータスが 勇者よりも明らかに強いのだが
My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero’s
A well-known work with 殺 in its Japanese title.
カンピオーネ！ ～まつろわぬ神々と神殺しの魔王～
Campione!
A well-known work with 殺 in its Japanese title.
Other kanji with the same meaning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 殺 mean in Japanese?
殺 means kill, murder, butcher, slice off, split, diminish, reduce, spoil.
How do you read 殺?
On'yomi: サツ、サイ、セツ (SATSU, SAI, SETSU). Kun'yomi: ころ.す、-ごろ.し、そ.ぐ、あや.める (korosu, goroshi, sogu, ayameru).
How many strokes does 殺 have?
殺 has 10 strokes. Its radical is 殳 (weapon).
Is 殺 a good kanji for a tattoo?
殺 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means kill, murder, butcher, slice off, split, diminish, reduce, spoil. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.