What is the meaning and reading of the kanji "泣"?

The kanji "泣" belongs to JLPT N1 and means "Cry, weep, wail". Its Onyomi is "キュウ (kyuu)" and Kunyomi is "な.く".

JLPT N1

泣

Cry, weep, wail

Q: Is there a memory mnemonic for "泣"?

Yes! Radical breakdown: "氵 (sanzui: water), 立 (stand/erect)". Mnemonic Story: "Imagine a child so incredibly sad, they **stand** (立, the 'stand' radical) there absolutely frozen, while huge torrents of **water** (氵, the 'water' radical) stream from their eyes. They are **crying** and weeping so uncontrollably, it's like a tiny waterfall."

Onyomi

キュウ (kyuu)

Kunyomi

な.く

🧠 Memory Mnemonic

🔍 Radical Breakdown

氵 (sanzui: water), 立 (stand/erect)

📖 Mnemonic Story

Imagine a child so incredibly sad, they **stand** (立, the 'stand' radical) there absolutely frozen, while huge torrents of **water** (氵, the 'water' radical) stream from their eyes. They are **crying** and weeping so uncontrollably, it's like a tiny waterfall.

💡 Quick Hint: Stand water crying

Essential N1 Vocabulary

泣く

なく

To cry, weep

号泣

ごうきゅう

Wailing, crying aloud

泣き虫

なきむし

Crybaby

Kanji Practice Quiz

Verify your memory for "泣"

悲しくて、思わず＿＿＿＿＿てしまった。

🎉 正解 / Correct!

解説: 泣くは「なく」と読みます。
English: 泣く is read as 'naku'.

🦅

Want to master all JLPT N1 Kanji?

Project Eagle offers thousands of gamified, AI-powered JLPT practice problems completely for free. Master Kanji, grammar, and listening with adaptive spacing!

Recommended Cross-Study

Vocab Lesson 頻繁 View Lesson ➔ Grammar Lesson 〜だに View Lesson ➔ Practice Quiz 〜極まりない View Lesson ➔