Japanese Kanji

sou

nest · living quarter in tree

Jinmeiyō variant · 11 strokes

Readings

  • ONソウsou
  • KUNsu
  • KUNす.くうsu

Meaning

Nest, living quarter in tree.

巢 is a Jinmeiyō variant — used in Japanese names and specialised writing. With 11 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.