Meaning
The kanji 滴 (teki, shizuku, shita-taru) beautifully captures the concept of a 'drip' or a 'drop' of liquid, or the action of 'trickling' or 'dripping'. Its core meaning centers on small quantities of liquid falling or moving slowly. Imagine raindrops falling from the sky, sweat trickling down your face, or a single tear rolling down a cheek – 滴 is the kanji used to describe all these nuanced liquid movements.
Historically, 滴 is a 形声文字 (keisei moji), or a phono-semantic compound. This type of character combines two elements: one suggesting the meaning and another indicating the sound. On the left side, you'll find the 'water' radical (氵, sanzui), which is clearly tied to liquids. This radical immediately signals that the kanji’s meaning will relate to water or other fluids. On the right side is 啇 (shou/teki), which acts as the phonetic component, suggesting the 'teki' sound. This component itself originally implied something 'dropping' or 'trickling' from above, further reinforcing the overall meaning. Thus, the visual shape of 滴 directly connects to its meaning: water (氵) that is dripping or dropping (啇).
This kanji has 14 strokes, making it a moderately complex character to write. While it doesn't have an assigned elementary school grade level, its usage and complexity mean it's commonly encountered at the N2 level of the JLPT. You'll see this character frequently in everyday Japanese, especially when describing liquids and their movements.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The on'yomi, or Chinese-derived reading, for 滴 is テキ (TEKI). This reading is frequently used in compound words, often appearing in more formal, technical, or specific contexts. It conveys a sense of precision when referring to drops or the act of dripping.
- 滴下 (tekika) — meaning 'dropping (liquid)', 'instillation'. This refers to the action of letting liquid fall drop by drop.
- 点滴 (tenteki) — meaning 'intravenous drip', 'infusion', or simply 'drops'. This common word refers to an IV drip in medical settings.
- 滴定 (tekitei) — meaning 'titration'. A specific chemical process involving adding a solution drop by drop.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kun'yomi, or native Japanese readings, for 滴 are しずく (shizuku) and したた-る (shita-taru). These readings are more often used for standalone words or verbs, describing the natural phenomenon of dripping or the drops themselves.
滴 (shizuku) — meaning 'a drop (of liquid)'. This is a noun referring to the small, spherical portion of liquid.
雨の滴 (ame no shizuku) — meaning 'raindrop'.
汗の滴 (ase no shizuku) — meaning 'drop of sweat'.
滴る (shita-taru) — meaning 'to drip', 'to trickle'. This is a verb describing the action of liquid falling or flowing in drops.
水が滴る (mizu ga shita-taru) — meaning 'water is dripping'.
汗が滴る (ase ga shita-taru) — meaning 'sweat is trickling/dripping'.
Common Words & Compounds
This section covers some common words and compounds using 滴, grouped to help you remember them. You'll find this kanji is quite versatile!
General Liquid Drops & Amounts:
- 水滴 (suiteki) — (a) water drop. Often seen as condensation or dew.
- 一滴 (itteki) — a single drop. Emphasizes a very small quantity.
- 雨滴 (uteki) — raindrop. A slightly more formal or poetic term than just 雨の滴.
- 露滴 (roteki) — dewdrop.
Actions & Processes Involving Dripping:
- 滴下 (tekika) — dropping (liquid), instillation. Often used in instructions, like adding drops of medicine.
- 点滴 (tenteki) — intravenous drip, infusion. This is a common medical term.
- 滴定 (tekitei) — titration. A specific laboratory procedure.
- 滴り落ちる (shita-tari-ochiru) — to drip down, to trickle down. A more descriptive verb for the action of liquid falling.
- 滴り (shitatari) — a drip, a trickle (noun). The sound or act of dripping.
Figurative & Descriptive Usage:
- 滴るばかり (shita-taru bakari) — literally 'just about to drip', but often used metaphorically to describe something overflowing with beauty, freshness, or juiciness. For example, 美しさが滴るばかり (utsukushisa ga shita-taru bakari) means 'overflowing with beauty'.
- 血の一滴 (chi no itteki) — a drop of blood. Often used in expressions of effort or sacrifice.
Example Sentences
葉から雨の滴が落ちてきた。
Ha kara ame no shizuku ga ochite kita.
Raindrops fell from the leaves.
暑くて、汗が顔から滴り落ちた。
Atsukute, ase ga kao kara shita-tari ochita.
It was so hot that sweat dripped down my face.
台所の蛇口から水が滴っている。
Daidokoro no jaguchi kara mizu ga shita-tatte iru.
Water is dripping from the kitchen faucet.
彼女の美貌は滴るばかりだ。
Kanojo no bibō wa shita-taru bakari da.
Her beauty is overflowing (lit. 'just about to drip').
朝露が葉の上に水滴となって輝いている。
Asatsuyu ga ha no ue ni suiteki to natte kagayaite iru.
Morning dew glistens as water drops on the leaves.
怪我をして、血が一滴ずつ流れ出た。
Kega o shite, chi ga itteki zutsu nagare deta.
I got injured, and blood trickled out drop by drop.
病院で点滴を受ける必要がある。
Byōin de tenteki o ukeru hitsuyō ga aru.
I need to get an intravenous drip at the hospital.
実験では、溶液を滴下する量が重要だ。
Jikken de wa, yōeki o tekika suru ryō ga jūyō da.
In experiments, the amount of solution to be dropped is important.
蛇口から滴る音が夜中に響いていた。
Jaguchi kara shita-taru oto ga yonaka ni hibīte ita.
The sound of dripping from the faucet echoed in the middle of the night.
Memory Tip
To remember 滴, visualize its components: the left side is the 'water' radical (氵), always reminding us of liquids. The right side, 啇, visually suggests something 'dropping' or 'falling' from above. Imagine water, represented by the left radical, steadily dripping down (indicated by the right component's motion) from a faucet or a roof. You can almost hear the 'drip, drip, drip' sound, which is close to the 'teki' sound in its on'yomi. This combination of 'water' plus the visual of 'dropping' perfectly encapsulates the meaning of 滴.