渇 — “Thirst / Dry Up / Parch” in Japanese

Master (高手)かつ, かわ

Radical ⽔ · radical 85 The building block this kanji is filed under

“Thirst / Dry Up / Parch” in Japanese is 渇, read katsu, kawa (かつ, かわ). 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 渇望 (craving).

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What does 渇 mean?

Full details, readings & example

Kanji	渇
Meaning	Thirst / Dry Up / Parch
Readings	かつ, かわ
Grade	Master (高手 · secondary school)
Curriculum	Jōyō kanji · Japanese secondary school (JLPT N1–N2)
Example	渇望 (craving)

How to read 渇

渇 is read katsu (かつ) or kawa (かわ) depending on the word.

Words with 渇

渇望

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Kanji read the same way as 渇

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

Updated: 2026-08-28