絶
discontinue · sever · cut off · abstain · interrupt · suppress · be beyond · without match · peerless · unparalleled
Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of thread and color. Thread color ceasing.
Symbolism
Absolute, extinction, rupture. Represents ceasing.
Component Breakdown
thread + 色
Words & Expressions
Words written with 絶
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
絶体絶命
ぜったいぜつめい
desperate situation with no escape; being driven into a corner; being cornered
抱腹絶倒
ほうふくぜっとう
laughing oneself into convulsions; splitting one's sides laughing; rolling with laughter
断崖絶壁
だんがいぜっぺき
precipitous cliff; sheer precipice; critical situation
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
韋編三絶
いへんさんぜつ
repeated reading; close (careful) reading; careful perusal
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
Like a boatman crossing the Strait of Yura who has lost his oar — this path of love, with no knowing where it leads.
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
The sound of the waterfall ceased long ago, yet its name flows on and is heard to this day.
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
Now there is only this to say — that I give you up — and I wish I could say it myself, not through another.
Anime & Manga
ダンガンロンパ 希望の学園と絶望の高校生 The Animation
Danganronpa: The Animation
A well-known work with 絶 in its Japanese title.
絶園のテンペスト
Blast of Tempest
A well-known work with 絶 in its Japanese title.
ダンガンロンパ3 -The End of 希望ヶ峰学園- 絶望編
Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope’s Peak High School - Despair Arc
A well-known work with 絶 in its Japanese title.
幼なじみが絶対に負けないラブコメ
Osamake: Romcom Where The Childhood Friend Won't Lose
A well-known work with 絶 in its Japanese title.
Fate/Grand Order -絶対魔獣戦線バビロニア-
Fate/Grand Order Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia
A well-known work with 絶 in its Japanese title.
Other kanji with the same meaning
“discontinue”
“interrupt”
“peerless”
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?
絶 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means discontinue, sever, cut off, abstain, interrupt, suppress, be beyond, without match, peerless, unparalleled. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.
Explore by meaning:discontinue · interrupt · peerless