Meaning
The N1-level kanji 漏 (ろう, もれる, もらす) primarily means "to leak," "to escape," or "to omit." At its heart, it refers to something that should be contained or kept private finding a way out. This concept applies not only to physical substances like water or gas but also to intangible things such as information, secrets, or even the accidental omission of details.
Comprising 14 strokes, 漏's visual structure effectively reinforces its meaning. The left-side radical, 氵 (sanzui), meaning "water," clearly signals a connection to liquids, moisture, or fluidity. This visual cue is a common and effective way for kanji to convey their general semantic category.
The right-hand component, 屚, serves as the phonetic element, suggesting the "rō" sound, while also contributing to the visual imagery. Within 屚, you can discern elements that resemble 尸 (corpse/roof) and 穴 (hole/cave). These elements together evoke the image of water seeping or dripping through a hole in a roof or structure.
Thus, the kanji as a whole beautifully illustrates water (氵) finding its way out through an opening (穴 under 尸), symbolizing leakage. This direct visual connection makes its meaning easy to grasp and remember.
Beyond the literal sense of physical leakage, 漏 also extends metaphorically. It describes situations where information is divulged, secrets are revealed, or crucial details are inadvertently left out. Grasping these nuances is essential for advanced Japanese learners.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary On'yomi reading for 漏 is ロウ (RŌ). This reading is commonly used in compound words, especially in more formal or technical contexts, often referring to specific types of leakage or the act of divulging.
- 漏洩 (rōei) — This term signifies "leakage" or "divulgence," most commonly used in the context of confidential information or data. It implies an unauthorized or unintended release. For example, 情報漏洩 refers to information leakage.
- 漏電 (rōden) — This compound refers to "electrical leakage" or a "short circuit." It describes a situation where electricity escapes from its intended path, which can be dangerous. For instance, 漏電火災 means a fire caused by electrical leakage.
- 漏水 (rōsui) — Meaning "water leakage," this is a direct and common application of the kanji. It refers to water escaping from pipes, roofs, or other containment. For example, マンションの漏水事故 describes a water leakage accident in an apartment building.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The Kun'yomi readings are found in native Japanese verbs and describe various forms of leaking or escaping. The two most common Kun'yomi are も-れる (mo-reru) and も-らす (mo-rasu), which are the intransitive and transitive forms, respectively.
も-れる (mo-reru) — This is the intransitive form, meaning "to leak out," "to escape," "to be omitted," or "to be disclosed." It describes something happening spontaneously or passively.
水が漏れる (mizu ga moreru) — Water is leaking. This is a common phrase to describe water seeping out.
情報が漏れる (jōhō ga moreru) — Information leaks out. This refers to information becoming public without authorization.
名簿から漏れる (meibo kara moreru) — To be omitted from the list. This illustrates the meaning of being left out or escaping notice.
も-らす (mo-rasu) — This is the transitive form, meaning "to let leak," "to divulge," "to omit," or "to let escape." It implies a conscious or unconscious action causing something to leak or be left out.
秘密を漏らす (himitsu wo morasu) — To divulge a secret. This highlights the intentional or accidental act of revealing classified information.
水を漏らす (mizu wo morasu) — To let water leak. This could be, for instance, by not closing a tap properly.
一言も漏らさず (ichigon mo morasazu) — Without missing a single word. This idiomatic expression uses もらす in the sense of omitting nothing.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 漏 appears in a variety of words and compounds, reflecting its varied applications from literal leaks to metaphorical omissions and disclosures. Here are some key examples grouped by theme:
- General Leakage/Escape:
- 漏洩 (rōei) — leakage, divulgence (especially of information or data)
- 漏れる (moreru) — (intransitive) to leak, to escape, to be omitted
- 漏らす (morasu) — (transitive) to let leak, to divulge, to omit, to let escape
- 雨漏り (amamori) — roof leak, rain leakage (a very common everyday word)
- 漏刻 (rōkoku) — ancient water clock (historical term, literally "leaking time")
- Specific Types of Leaks:
- 漏電 (rōden) — electrical leakage, short circuit
- 漏水 (rōsui) — water leakage
- 漏油 (rōyu) — oil leakage
- ガス漏れ (gasu more) — gas leak (using the kun'yomi for the leak part)
- 風漏り (kazamori) — air leak, draft (e.g., in a poorly sealed window)
- Omission/Error:
- 脱漏 (datsurō) — omission, deletion, a part that has been left out
- 記載漏れ (kisai more) — omission in a record or entry
- 聞き漏らす (kikimorasu) — to fail to catch (a word), to miss hearing
- 見落とし (miotoshi) — oversight, omission (though 見落とす is the verb form, 漏れ expresses the state of being missed)
Example Sentences
台所の蛇口から水が漏れている。
Daidokoro no jaguchi kara mizu ga morete iru.
Water is leaking from the kitchen faucet.
このニュースはどこからか情報が漏れたようだ。
Kono nyūsu wa doko kara ka jōhō ga moreta yō da.
It seems this news leaked from somewhere.
彼は会議で重要な事実をいくつか漏らしてしまった。
Kare wa kaigi de jūyō na jijitsu wo ikutsu ka morashite shimatta.
He inadvertently let slip some important facts at the meeting.
雨の日に屋根から雨漏りがする。
Ame no hi ni yane kara amamori ga suru.
On rainy days, the roof leaks.
漏電による火災の危険性があるため、注意が必要です。
Rōden ni yoru kasai no kiken-sei ga aru tame, chūi ga hitsuyō desu.
There's a risk of fire due to electrical leakage, so caution is necessary.
機密情報の漏洩は企業にとって大きな損害となる。
Kimitsu jōhō no rōei wa kigyō ni totte ōkina songai to naru.
The leakage of confidential information results in significant damage for companies.
報告書には重要なデータが漏れていたため、修正が必要だ。
Hōkokusho ni wa jūyō na dēta ga morete ita tame, shūsei ga hitsuyō da.
The report had important data missing, so corrections are needed.
彼の言葉は一言も聞き漏らすまいと、私は耳を澄ませた。
Kare no kotoba wa ichigon mo kikimorasu mai to, watashi wa mimi wo sumaseta.
I strained my ears, determined not to miss a single word he said.
壁のひび割れから雨水が漏れ出して、カビの原因になっている。
Kabe no hibiware kara amamizu ga more-dashite, kabi no gen'in ni natte iru.
Rainwater is leaking out from the cracks in the wall, causing mold.
古い船はあちこちから水が漏れるため、常に修理が必要だった。
Furui fune wa achikochi kara mizu ga moreru tame, tsune ni shūri ga hitsuyō datta.
The old ship leaked water from many places, so it constantly needed repairs.
Memory Tip
To remember 漏, visualize its components telling a story about a leak. The left side is the 氵 (sanzui) radical, which clearly represents "water." On the right, imagine a "roof" (partially represented by 尸) that has a "hole" (穴) in it. Through this hole, water steadily makes its way out, dripping and causing a "leak." The right-hand component 屚 acts as the phonetic element for ロウ. So, remember 漏 as "water (氵) leaking through a hole (穴) in a roof (尸)," an effective visual and semantic representation of its meaning.