148
消
Disappear, Extinguish, Turn Off
き.える (ki-eru), け.す (ke-su)
JLPT N3
Interesting Fact
The expression 火が消える（ひがきえる） means “the fire/flame goes out.” But 消 can also describe something gradually disappearing: 音が消える means “the sound disappears,” and 雪が消える means “the snow melts away/disappears.” The same kanji therefore connects the very physical image of a flame going out with the softer idea of something fading until nothing remains.
Memory Trick
“WATER (氵) is poured over the CANDLE (肖) and EXTINGUISHES (消) the flame!”
Readings
Onyomi: ショウ (shou)
Kunyomi: き.える (ki-eru), け.す (ke-su)
Example Words
消す
けす (kesu)
To turn off, Erase
消える
きえる (kieru)
To disappear
消火
しょうか (shouka)
Fire extinguishing
消費
しょうひ (shouhi)
Consumption
Example Sentence
電気を 消してください。
でんきを けしてください。
denki o keshite kudasai
Please turn off the lights.