爪
つめ
tsume
JLPT N34 strokesKanjiLevel 37 - JLPT N3
Quick answer
爪 is the kanji for "Claw". Its reading is つめ (tsume). This page includes example sentences and a stroke-order diagram.
Meaning
Claw
Also : Nail · Talon
Learn 爪 with SRS
Free to start — no credit card. Track every review with spaced repetition.
Readings
kunつめ/ tsumekunつま/ tsumaonそう/ sou
kun = Japanese reading · on = Chinese reading
Practice writing
Trace the kanji stroke by stroke with a visual guide.
Stroke Order
4 strokes
Radicals
爪
Example Sentences
猫の爪は鋭いです。
ねこのつめはするどいです。
A cat's claws are sharp.
爪が長くなったから切りました。
つめがながくなったからきりました。
My nails grew long, so I trimmed them.
Vocabulary using 爪
Grammar to study at this level
- [Verb dictionary/nai form] + ように～ように (you ni) - So that
- [Verb dictionary form] + ことにする～ことにする (koto ni suru) - Decide to
- [Verb dictionary form] + ことになる～ことになる (koto ni naru) - It has been decided that
- [Noun/Verb te-form] + ばかり～ばかり (bakari) - Only / Nothing but
- [Verb/Adjective plain form] + はずだ～はずだ (hazu da) - Should be / It is expected
Last updated Jul 22, 2026
Learn 爪 with Spaced Repetition
InitialJ uses scientifically proven SRS to help you memorize kanji and vocabulary for the JLPT. N5 is free forever; no credit card required.