Japanese Kanji

tou

head · counter for large animals

Grade 2 · JLPT N3 · 16 strokes

Readings

  • ONトウtou
  • ONzu
  • ONto
  • KUNあたまatama
  • KUNかしらkashira
  • KUN-がしら-gashira

Meaning

Head, counter for large animals.

Stroke order for 頭

頭 is taught in grade 2 of Japanese elementary school — one of the earliest kanji children learn. In the JLPT proficiency test it appears at N3 (intermediate) level. With 16 strokes, this character appears in numerous compound words throughout written Japanese.

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