Kanji 吏: officer, an official

Key takeaways

Kanji 吏: officer, an official. Readings and core meaning.

See vocabulary and examples below.

Kanji at a glance

吏

Meaning

officeran official

On reading

リ

Radical

口

Core meaning / core image

Core meaning: 吏

officer, an official

Kanji structure breakdown

吏

Structure breakdown

丈 + 口

Mnemonic story

An adult (丈) using their mouth (口) to issue orders or handle public affairs represents a government official. Think of a person in a position of authority or a public servant.

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

リ

下吏かり
lower official / subordinate clerk
捕吏ほり
constable / police officer

Commonly used words

下吏
かり
lower official / subordinate clerk
捕吏
ほり
constable / police officer

Example sentences

Example 1

下吏は書類を整理しています。

Translation

The lower official is organizing documents.

Example 2

下吏からの報告を待っています。

Translation

I am waiting for a report from the lower official.

Example 3

捕吏が事件の現場に来た。

Translation

The constable came to the crime scene.

Example 4

昔は捕吏が町を見回った。

Translation

In the past, constables patrolled the town.

Kanji 吏: officer, an official

Kanji at a glance

Core meaning / core image

Kanji structure breakdown

Mnemonic story

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

Commonly used words

Example sentences

下吏 (かり): meaning and examples

捕吏 (ほり): meaning and examples