Quick answer
涙 is the kanji for "Tears". It is a JLPT N2 kanji. The main reading is なみだ (namida). Stroke-order practice is available below.
Meaning
Tears
Also : Weeping
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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
10 strokes
Radicals
Memory Aid
The kanji 涙 represents 'TEARS'. Think of this shape as a picture representing the concept of tears.
On-reading: るい — remember this sound by associating it with tears. Kun-reading: なみだ.
Example Sentences
感動の映画を見て、涙が止まりませんでした。
かんどうのえいがをみて、なみだがとまりませんでした。
Watching a moving movie, I couldn't stop my tears.
涙を流しながら別れを告げた後、また会う約束をしました。
なみだをながしながらわかれをつげたあと、またあうやくそくをしました。
After saying goodbye while shedding tears, we made a promise to meet again.
Vocabulary using 涙
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 Jun 11, 2026
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