絶
discontinue · sever · cut off · abstain · interrupt · suppress · be beyond · without match · peerless · unparalleled
Details
Stroke Order
Component Breakdown
thread + 色
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of thread and color. Thread color ceasing.
Symbolism
Absolute, extinction, rupture. Represents ceasing.
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
空前絶後
くうぜんぜつご
(so marvelous or horrible that it may be) the first and probably the last; (so marvelous or horrible that it may be) the first and probably the last
絶体絶命
ぜったいぜつめい
desperate situation with no escape; being driven into a corner; being cornered; desperate situation with no escape
抱腹絶倒
ほうふくぜっとう
laughing oneself into convulsions; splitting one's sides laughing; rolling with laughter; laughing oneself into convulsions
断崖絶壁
だんがいぜっぺき
precipitous cliff; sheer precipice; critical situation; precipitous cliff
精力絶倫
せいりょくぜつりん
being of unbounded energy; being with matchless vigor; having endless sexual stamina; being of unbounded energy
韋編三絶
いへんさんぜつ
repeated reading; close (careful) reading; careful perusal; repeated reading
Poetry
由良のとを 渡る舟人 かぢを絶え ゆくへも知らぬ 恋の道かな
Poem #46 from Hyakunin Isshu
滝の音は 絶えて久しく なりぬれど 名こそ流れて なほ聞こえけれ
Poem #55 from Hyakunin Isshu
今はただ 思ひ絶えなむ とばかりを 人づてならで 言ふよしもがな
Poem #63 from Hyakunin Isshu
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 絶 mean in Japanese?
絶 means discontinue, sever, cut off, abstain, interrupt, suppress, be beyond, without match, peerless, unparalleled.
How do you read 絶?
On'yomi: ゼツ (ZETSU). Kun'yomi: た.える、た.やす、た.つ (taeru, tayasu, tatsu).
How many strokes does 絶 have?
絶 has 12 strokes. Its radical is 糸 (silk).
Is 絶 a good kanji for a tattoo?
Yes. 絶 (discontinue, sever, cut off, abstain, interrupt, suppress, be beyond, without match, peerless, unparalleled) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.
Explore by meaning:kanji for discontinue · kanji for interrupt · kanji for peerless