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On'yomi
RI
Kun'yomi
こい
koi

carp

Details

Strokes18
Frequency#2369
Radicalfish(11)

Stroke Order

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Strokes18

Component Breakdown

=

fish + village

Cultural Context

Etymology

Composed of fish and village. Fish of village.

Symbolism

Carp streamer, love, success. Represents Japanese good luck.

Words & Expressions

Proverbs & Idioms

鯉の滝登り

こいのたきのぼり

A carp climbing a waterfall

Rising to success against all odds

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 鯉 mean in Japanese?

鯉 means carp.

How do you read 鯉?

On'yomi: リ (RI). Kun'yomi: こい (koi).

How many strokes does 鯉 have?

鯉 has 18 strokes. Its radical is 魚 (fish).

Is 鯉 a good kanji for a tattoo?

Yes. 鯉 (carp) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.