斗 — “Big Dipper / Ten Sho (vol) / Sake Dipper / Dots And Cross Radical (no. 68)” in Japanese

Master (高手)と, とう

Radical ⽃ · radical 68 The building block this kanji is filed under

“Big Dipper / Ten Sho (vol) / Sake Dipper / Dots And Cross Radical (no. 68)” in Japanese is 斗, read to, tou (と, とう). It is a Jōyō kanji taught in Japanese secondary school (junior & senior high) — the 高手 · Master tier beyond the grade 1–6 Kyōiku set, and appears in words such as 北斗七星 (Big Dipper).

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What does 斗 mean?

Full details, readings & example

Kanji	斗
Meaning	Big Dipper / Ten Sho (vol) / Sake Dipper / Dots And Cross Radical (no. 68)
Readings	と, とう
Grade	Master (高手 · secondary school)
Curriculum	Jōyō kanji · Japanese secondary school (JLPT N1–N2)
Example	北斗七星 (Big Dipper)

How to read 斗

斗 is read to (と) or tou (とう) depending on the word.

Words with 斗

北斗七星

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Kanji read the same way as 斗

Same sound, different character — the classic trap. Compare them side by side:

Updated: 2026-08-28