滅

滅 — destroy, ruin, overthrow

Learn the correct stroke order for 滅 (destroy), a 13-stroke kanji.

JLPT N1Secondary school13 strokes

Stroke Order

Stroke 0 / 13

On'yomi (音読み)メツmetsu

Kun'yomi (訓読み)ほろ.びるhorobiru、ほろ.ぶhorobu、ほろ.ぼすhorobosu

Strokes13

Radical水

Frequency#1222

Meaningsdestroy, ruin, overthrow, perish

Step-by-Step Diagram

Try Writing It

Practice writing each stroke in the correct order and direction. Start from the green dot.

Draw stroke 1 of 13 — start from the green dot

Common Words

隠滅いんめつdestruction (esp. of evidence); spoliation; suppressionnoun

壊滅かいめつ(complete) destruction; annihilation; devastationnoun

幻滅げんめつdisillusionment; disillusion; disenchantmentnoun

自滅じめつself-destruction; ruining oneselfnoun

消滅しょうめつextinction; extinguishment; disappearancenoun

絶滅ぜつめつextinction; exterminationnoun

Usage & Examples

Usage Notes

The kanji 滅 (destroy) is part of the secondary school kanji set and appears at JLPT N1 level. It has 13 strokes with radical 水.

In newspaper frequency rankings, 滅 is #1222, making it a moderately common kanji.

Example Words in Context

隠滅いんめつ — destruction (esp. of evidence); spoliation; suppression

壊滅かいめつ — (complete) destruction; annihilation; devastation

幻滅げんめつ — disillusionment; disillusion; disenchantment

Practice Sheet

Trace then write on your own. Print this row as a PDF practice sheet.

Related Kanji

Same radical (水)

水water 永eternity 氷icicle 汁soup 氾spread out 江creek 池pond 汚dirty

Frequently Asked Questions

How many strokes does 滅 have?

The kanji 滅 (destroy) has 13 strokes. Watch the animation above to see the correct order.

What is the correct stroke order for 滅?

滅 follows the standard Japanese stroke order as taught in schools. Use the step-by-step diagram or the "Try Writing" tool above to practice each stroke in sequence.

What does 滅 mean?

滅 means: destroy, ruin, overthrow, perish. On'yomi readings: メツ. Kun'yomi readings: ほろ.びる, ほろ.ぶ, ほろ.ぼす.

What JLPT level is 滅?

滅 is a JLPT N1 kanji. This is an advanced kanji.