魁

charging ahead of others

JLPTN1StatusJinmeiyōFrequencyTop 5,000Strokes14

Readings

On'yomi

カイ

Kun'yomi

さきがけ
かしら

Meaning

魁 centers on being at the forefront: charging ahead of others, leading, or being the first and most prominent.

Most common words using 魁

花魁おいらん
oiran; high-ranking courtesan
首魁しゅかい
ringleader; mastermind; leader (of a plot)
容貌魁偉ようぼうかいい
(a man) having a commanding face and a powerful physique
巨魁きょかい
ringleader; chief
花魁道中おいらんどうちゅう
procession of courtesans
魁偉かいい
brawny; muscular; impressive; gigantic
魁星かいせい
first star of the Big Dipper

Explore all words using 魁 →

Study

Etymology

魁 combines 鬼 (demon, ogre) with 斗 (measuring ladle). The historical origin is uncertain, but it may relate to a leader or chief, possibly from the idea of a prominent figure or a ladle-wielding demon.

Meaning mnemonic

A demon (鬼) holding a measuring ladle (斗) charges ahead of the others, leading the pack.

Reading mnemonic

For カイ, picture a kite (カイト) charging ahead of the others in the sky, leading the flock.