KanjiSchool
腐
“Rot / Decay / Sour” in Japanese is 腐, read fu, kusa (ふ, くさ, -くさ). 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 豆腐 (tofu).
Try it now
What does 腐 mean?
Learn all 1,018 kanji with spaced-repetition review — free. Start free →
Unlock guided stroke order, scoring and daily streaks. Start free →
Full details, readings & example
| Kanji | 腐 |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Rot / Decay / Sour |
| Readings | ふ, くさ, -くさ |
| Grade | Master (高手 · secondary school) |
| Curriculum | Jōyō kanji · Japanese secondary school (JLPT N1–N2) |
| Example | 豆腐 (tofu) |
How to read 腐
腐 is read fu (ふ) or kusa (くさ) or kusa (-くさ) depending on the word.
Words with 腐
- 豆腐
Learn 腐 in real sentences — free
Read stories and news built from only the kanji you already know. KanjiSchool’s path covers all 2,136 Jōyō kanji — 1,018 ready to learn now.
Start free — no credit card →
Kanji read the same way as 腐
Same sound, different character — the classic trap. Compare them side by side:
Updated: 2026-08-28