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N3

Kanji 折: meanings, readings, and example words.

2 min read

Kanji 折: fold, break, fracture, bend, yield, submit

Key takeaways

Kanji 折: fold, break, fracture, bend, yield, submit. Readings and core meaning.

See vocabulary and examples below.

Kanji at a glance

N3

Meaning

foldbreakfracturebendyieldsubmit

On reading

セツシャク

Kun reading

お.るおりお.り-お.りお.れる

Radical

Core meaning / core image

Core meaning: 折

fold, break, fracture, bend, yield, submit

Kanji structure breakdown

Structure breakdown

扌 + 斤

Mnemonic story

Mnemonic story

Imagine holding an axe (斤) in your hand (扌) to chop and break a piece of wood. This kanji represents the action of snapping or breaking something, as well as folding it.

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

セツ
  • 屈折くっせつ

    bending / refraction / distortion

  • 骨折こっせつ

    bone fracture / broken bone

Kun reading

お.る
  • 折り返すおりかえす

    to turn back / to fold back

  • 時折ときおり

    sometimes / now and then

  • 折るおる

    to fold / to break

  • 折れるおれる

    to break / to bend / to fold

Commonly used words

  • 屈折
    くっせつ

    bending / refraction / distortion

  • 骨折
    こっせつ

    bone fracture / broken bone

  • 折り返す
    おりかえす

    to turn back / to fold back

  • 時折
    ときおり

    sometimes / now and then

  • 折る
    おる

    to fold / to break

  • 折れる
    おれる

    to break / to bend / to fold

Example sentences

Example 1

電話が切れて、り返します。

Translation

The call was disconnected, I will call back.

Example 2

紙を半分にり返してください。

Translation

Please fold the paper in half.

Example 3

この鏡は光の屈を利用している。

Translation

This mirror uses the refraction of light.

Example 4

した形が不思議に見える。

Translation

The bent shape looks strange.

Kanji 折: fold, break, fracture, bend, yield, submit | Daily Nihongo