Kanji: 滅 (Destroy/Perish)
The kanji 滅 means "to destroy," "to extinguish," "to perish," or "to die out." It conveys a sense of complete ruin, eradication, or the end of something's existence.
Key Reading:
On-yomi (Sino-Japanese reading): メツ (metsu)
Common Words & Usage:
滅びる (horobiru) - Verb. To be destroyed, to perish.
消滅 (shōmetsu) - Noun/Suru-verb. Extinction, disappearance.
絶滅 (zetsumetsu) - Noun/Suru-verb. Extinction, annihilation.
滅亡 (metsubō) - Noun/Suru-verb. Downfall, collapse (of a nation, civilization).
Example Sentence:
Japanese: 多くの種が環境変化によって絶滅の危機に瀕している。
Romaji: Ōku no shu ga kankyō henka ni yotte zetsumetsu no kiki ni shin shite iru.
English: Many species are facing the threat of extinction due to environmental changes.
Learning the correct stroke order for kanji like 滅 is essential for balanced, legible Japanese handwriting and is a fundamental part of mastering kanji writing.