1. Kanji Breakdown: 虎
Meaning: Tiger.
Reading:
Onyomi (Sino-Japanese reading): コ (ko)
Kunyomi (Native Japanese reading): とら (tora)
This kanji directly represents the powerful and majestic animal, the tiger. It often carries connotations of bravery, ferocity, and danger.
2. Stroke Order and Writing
Learning the correct stroke order is essential for writing this kanji correctly and beautifully. "虎" has 8 strokes.
Here is the stroke order diagram and explanation:
Total Strokes: 8
Start with the top-left dot. (A short, diagonal dash)
Draw the horizontal stroke from left to right.
The left vertical hook.
The short horizontal stroke inside (from left to right).
The "7"-shaped stroke. This is one continuous stroke that goes down, hooks, and then goes diagonally up.
The long horizontal stroke that cuts through the "7" shape.
The left-falling stroke (diagonal down to the left).
The right-falling stroke (diagonal down to the right). This final stroke is often elongated.
Key Writing Tips:
The top part (steps 1-4) is a common radical. Practice it separately.
Pay attention to the balance. The final two diagonal strokes should give the character a stable, grounded look.
The long horizontal stroke (stroke 6) is a key structural element.
3. Vocabulary and Example Sentences
Here are some common words using "虎" and how to use them in sentences.
Vocabulary
虎 (とら, tora)
Meaning: Tiger.
Example: 動物園で虎を見ました。
Romaji: Dōbutsuen de tora o mimashita.
English: I saw a tiger at the zoo.
虎穴 (こけつ, koketsu)
Meaning: Tiger's den. (Used in the famous proverb below).
Example: 虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず。
Romaji: Koketsu ni irazunba koji o ezu.
English: Nothing ventured, nothing gained. (Literally: If you do not enter the tiger's cave, you will not catch its cub.)
騎虎の勢い (きこのいきおい, kiko no ikioi)
Meaning: An irresistible force; being unable to stop once started (like riding a tiger and not being able to get off).
Example: チームは優勝へ向けて騎虎の勢いだ。
Romaji: Chīmu wa yūshō e mukete kiko no ikioi da.
English: The team has an unstoppable momentum towards the championship.
虎の威を借る狐 (とらのいをかるきつね, tora no i o karu kitsune)
Meaning: A fox who borrows the authority of a tiger. (This refers to a person who swaggers about by borrowing someone else's power).
Example: 彼は社長の威光を背景に威張っているが、まさに虎の威を借る狐だ。
Romaji: Kare wa shachō no ikō o haikei ni ibatteiru ga, masani tora no i o karu kitsune da.
English: He acts important based on the president's authority; he's truly a fox borrowing the tiger's fierceness.
虎縞 (とらじま, torajima)
Meaning: Tiger stripes.
Example: その猫の毛は虎縞の模様がある。
Romaji: Sono neko no ke wa torajima no moyō ga aru.
English: That cat has a tiger-stripe pattern on its fur.
Summary
Kanji: 虎
Core Meaning: Tiger (symbolizing strength, ferocity, and danger).
Readings: On'yomi コ (ko), Kun'yomi とら (tora)
Stroke Order: 8 strokes. Practice the unique "7"-shaped stroke (stroke 5) and the final two diagonals.
By mastering the stroke order and learning these vocabulary words, you will be able to correctly write and use this powerful kanji. Keep practicing!