The kanji 遭 means `to have a hard time`, `to have an accident`, `to have a bad experience`.

This kanji can also have the same meaning as (会|あ)う, which means `to meet`. (遭|あ)う also means `meet`, but has **a negative connotation** (encounter a problem).

In this post we go deeper into the meaning of 遭, its origin, and how it is used through real example sentences.

***


## Origin of the kanji 遭
The kanji 遭 is made up of the following kanji and radicals:

- 曹: kanji meaning `office`, `cadet`, `fellow`, `comrade`

- ⻌: radical that indicates the `road`



## What does kanji mean 遭
The kanji 遭 means `to encounter a difficulty`. This kanji is used in various words related to **problems, difficulties, and misfortunes**.

Some of these words for example are:

- (遭|そう)(遇|ぐう): `to encounter (a difficulty)`

- (目|め)に(遭|あ)う: `to go through (trouble)`

- (遭|そう)(難|なん): `disaster`



## Kanji readings 遭
Let's now see the various On and Kun readings that the kanji 遭 assumes.


### Kun readings of the kanji 遭 🇯🇵

#### あ
The Kun reading of the kanji 遭 is あ. This reading is the same as the kanji 会.

Similar to the kanji 会, the reading あ is used to translate the verb `meet`. However, (遭|あ)う has a negative connotation, `encounter a difficulty`.


### On readings of the kanji 遭 🇨🇳

#### そう
The only On reading of the kanji 遭 is そう. This reading is used in conjunction with other kanji to indicate **problems, disasters, difficult situations**.

Some examples of words using this reading are:

- (遭|そう)(遇|ぐう): `to encounter (a difficulty)`

- (遭|そう)(難|なん): `disaster`



## Examples of the kanji 遭
{% sentence japanese="(彼|かれ)らは(山|やま)で(遭|そう)(難|なん)した。" translation="They had an accident in the mountains." /%}

{% sentence japanese="(私|わたし)たちは(多|おお)くの(困|こん)(難|なん)に(遭|そう)(遇|ぐう)した。" translation="We have encountered many difficulties." /%}

{% sentence japanese="お(前|まえ)はいつも(鬼|おに)(狩|が)りの(柱|はしら)と(遭|そう)(遇|ぐう)した(場|ば)(合|あい)(逃|とう)(亡|ぼう)しようと(思|おも)っているな。" translation="Whenever you meet a Hashira demon hunter, you always think about running away." /%}



Learn all about the Japanese Kanji 遭: what it means, how it is used, and many interesting facts about the origin and history of 遭.

遭 (Encounter) - Meaning and history | Japanese Kanji

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遭 (Encounter) - Meaning and history | Japanese Kanji

Origin of the kanji 遭

What does kanji mean 遭

Kanji readings 遭

Kun readings of the kanji 遭 🇯🇵

あ

On readings of the kanji 遭 🇨🇳

そう

Examples of the kanji 遭

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