Kanji: 臼 (Mortar)
The kanji 臼 means "mortar," the traditional bowl-shaped tool used for pounding and grinding grains, rice, or herbs with a pestle.
Key Reading:
Kun-yomi (Japanese reading): うす (usu)
Common Words & Usage:
臼 (usu) - Noun. A mortar.
杵と臼 (kine to usu) - Phrase. Pestle and mortar.
白臼 (shiro usu) - Noun. A white mortar (often made of marble).
歯の臼 (ha no usu) - Phrase. Molar tooth (due to its shape resembling a mortar).
Example Sentence:
Japanese: おばあちゃんは臼と杵で餅をついている。
Romaji: Obaachan wa usu to kine de mochi o tsuite iru.
English: My grandmother is making rice cakes with a mortar and pestle.
Learning the correct stroke order for kanji like 臼 is essential for balanced, legible Japanese handwriting and is a fundamental part of mastering kanji writing.