Quick answer
憎 is the kanji for "Hate". Its reading is にく.む (nikumu). This page includes example sentences and a stroke-order diagram.
Meaning
Hate
Also : Detest
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Readings
kun = Japanese reading · on = Chinese reading
Practice writing
Trace the kanji stroke by stroke with a visual guide.
Stroke Order
14 strokes
Radicals
Memory Aid
The kanji 憎 represents 'HATE'. Think of this shape as a picture representing the concept of hate.
On-reading: ぞう — remember this sound by associating it with hate. Kun-reading: にく.む.
Example Sentences
憎しみを持ち続けると、自分が一番苦しくなります。
にくしみをもちつづけると、じぶんがいちばんくるしくなります。
Holding onto hatred causes yourself the most suffering.
憎まれっ子世にはばかるという言葉は、厚かましい人ほど世渡りが上手いという皮肉を表しています。
にくまれっこよにはばかるということばは、あつかましいひとほどよわたりがうまいというひにくをあらわしています。
The saying 'a hated child thrives in the world' expresses the irony that thick-skinned people often get ahead in life.
Vocabulary using 憎
Grammar to study at this level
- [Noun] + に伴い～に伴い (ni tomonai) - Along with / In accordance with
- [Noun] + をはじめ～をはじめ (wo hajime) - Starting with / Including
- [Noun] + に応じて～に応じて (ni oujite) - According to / In response to
- [Noun] + から + [Noun] + にかけて～にかけて (ni kakete) - From...to / In the area of
- [Noun] + に限り～に限り (ni kagiri) - Limited to / Only
Last updated Jul 22, 2026
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