冥

KANJI DETAIL

dark

On readingめい

10 strokesN2

Radical 冖 · cover

Stroke order

10 strokes

Japanese readings

On reading: めい
Kun reading: None

Study notes

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

Structure: 冥 is associated with darkness and has the on-reading めい.
Basic usage: 冥土(めいど) means the afterlife, while 冥福(めいふく) refers to the well-being of the deceased in the afterlife.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

Who the wish for repose concerns
- 故人の冥福を祈った means praying for the repose of the deceased. 冥福 concerns someone who has died and differs from wishing a living person health or good fortune.