Japanese Kanji

kou

bite · gnaw · chew

Extended kanji · 9 strokes

Readings

  • ONコウkou
  • ONヨウyou
  • KUNか.むka

Meaning

Bite, gnaw, chew, gear with, dash against.

Stroke order for 咬

咬 is a Extended kanji — used in Japanese personal names and specialised writing. With 9 strokes, it appears in classical literature, place names, and formal documents.

Learn to read Japanese

Start with hiragana and katakana — the foundation of Japanese reading.