離
detach · separation · disjoin · digress
Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Combines 'bird' (隹) with 'beast' (离), depicting a bird leaving a tree to fly away. Means separation and parting.
Symbolism
Symbolizes separation, distance, and independence. Represents parting from dear people and places, and departure on new paths.
Component Breakdown
离 + 隹
Words & Expressions
Words written with 離
Four-Character Compounds
支離滅裂
しりめつれつ
incoherent; inconsistent; illogical
政教分離
せいきょうぶんり
separation of church and state
不即不離
ふそくふり
neutral; noncommittal
愛別離苦
あいべつりく
the pain of separation from loved ones
離合集散
りごうしゅうさん
meeting and parting; alliance and rupture (e.g. changing alignment of political parties)
光彩陸離
こうさいりくり
dazzling; brilliant
会者定離
えしゃじょうり
those who meet must part (suggesting the transient nature of this life); we meet only to part
相即不離
そうそくふり
strongly attached to each other; inseparable
厭離穢土
えんりえど
abhorrence of (living in) this impure world
乱離骨灰
らりこっぱい
being scattered in all directions; being broken up and dispersed
Anime & Manga
Aランクパーティを離脱した俺は、元教え子たちと迷宮深部を目指す。
I Left My A-Rank Party to Help My Former Students Reach the Dungeon Depths!
A well-known work with 離 in its Japanese title.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 離 mean in Japanese?
離 means detach, separation, disjoin, digress.
How do you read 離?
On'yomi: リ (RI). Kun'yomi: はな.れる、はな.す (hanareru, hanasu).
How many strokes does 離 have?
離 has 19 strokes. Its radical is 隹 (short-tailed bird).
Is 離 a good kanji for a tattoo?
離 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means detach, separation, disjoin, digress. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.