Kanji 窒: plug up, obstruct

Key takeaways

Kanji 窒: plug up, obstruct. Readings and core meaning.

See vocabulary and examples below.

Kanji at a glance

窒

Meaning

plug upobstruct

On reading

ちつ

Radical

穴

Core meaning / core image

Core meaning: 窒

plug up, obstruct

Kanji structure breakdown

窒

Structure breakdown

穴 + 至

Mnemonic story

This kanji represents reaching (至) the very end of a hole (穴) where there is no way out, signifying a blocked or plugged state. It is easy to remember by associating it with 'suffocation' or 'nitrogen,' which involves the obstruction of air.

On'yomi and kun'yomi

Example sentences

Example 1

煙で窒息しそうだった。

Translation

I almost suffocated from the smoke.

Example 2

水に落ちて窒息した。