Skip to content
Kotomora

捺

press, print, affix a seal, stamp

JLPTN1StatusJinmeiyōStrokes11

Readings

On'yomi

  • ナツ
  • ダツ

Kun'yomi

  • さ.す
  • お.す

Meaning

捺 centers on applying downward pressure to leave a mark or make something adhere: pressing, stamping, or affixing a seal. The print sense is a natural extension of pressing an inked surface onto paper.

Most common words using 捺

  • 捺印なついん

    affixing a seal (to); putting one's seal (on); stamping

  • 押捺おうなつ

    stamping; impressing; affixing a seal

  • 指紋押捺しもんおうなつ

    fingerprinting

  • 捺染なっせん

    (textile) printing

  • 署名捺印しょめいなついん

    adding one's signature and seal (to a document); signing and sealing

  • 転写捺染てんしゃなっせん

    transfer print

Explore all words using 捺 →

Study

Etymology

捺 combines 扌 (hand) with 奈, which likely contributes the sound ナツ. The character expresses the action of pressing or stamping with the hand.

Meaning mnemonic

A hand 扌 presses down on 奈, like a seal being firmly pushed onto a document. The pressure leaves a clear stamp or print.

Reading mnemonic

For ナツ, imagine pressing a seal onto a document during a hot summer day: 夏 (なつ, summer) -> ナツ, and the heat makes the stamp stick firmly.