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誓
On'yomi
セイ
SEI
Kun'yomi
ちか.う
chikau
vow · swear · pledge
Details
Stroke Order
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Strokes14
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of break and words. Speaking with breaking.
Symbolism
Oath, swear, vow. Represents vowing.
Spiritual Meaning
Represents promise before deities, spiritual contract that cannot be broken.
Component Breakdown
誓=
折言
折 + speech
Words & Expressions
Words written with 誓
Proverbs & Idioms
誓いを立てる
ちかいをたてる
To make a vow
To pledge solemnly
Poetry
和歌（百人一首） (Waka (Hyakunin Isshu))
忘らるる 身をば思はず 誓ひてし 人のいのちの 惜しくもあるかな
Poem #38 from Hyakunin Isshu
右近Ukon
10th centuryOther kanji with the same meaning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 誓 mean in Japanese?
誓 means vow, swear, pledge.
How do you read 誓?
On'yomi: セイ (SEI). Kun'yomi: ちか.う (chikau).
How many strokes does 誓 have?
誓 has 14 strokes. Its radical is 言 (speech).
Is 誓 a good kanji for a tattoo?
誓 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means vow, swear, pledge. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.