Learn 匹 through counting small animals and comparing ability. Its reading depends on the word.

The idea

匹 has four strokes. As a counter, it is normally ひき, but 一匹 is いっぴき and 三匹 is さんびき. 匹敵する（ひってきする） means to match or rival; the standard kanji reading is ヒツ.

Patterns to compare
WordReadingExample
一匹いっぴきA cat is in the garden.
二匹にひきTwo dogs are kept as pets.
三匹さんびきI saw three fish in the pond.
八匹はっぴきThere are eight insects in the box.
匹敵するひってきするThis work is comparable to a masterpiece.

Examples

  • 猫ねこが一匹いっぴき、庭にわにいます。A cat is in the garden.
  • 犬いぬを二匹にひき、飼かっています。Two dogs are kept as pets.
  • 池いけで魚さかなを三匹さんびき見みました。I saw three fish in the pond.
  • 虫むしが八匹はっぴき、箱はこにいます。There are eight insects in the box.
  • この作品さくひんは名作めいさくに匹敵ひってきします。This work is comparable to a masterpiece.
  • その選手せんしゅの実力じつりょくは世界せかいの一流いちりゅうに匹敵ひってきします。That athlete’s ability matches the world’s best.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

The English keyword “equal” does not mean 匹 alone is the usual word for equality. Use 匹敵する for matching in value or ability; use the counter for animals, not people.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 一匹 in hiragana.

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    いっぴき

    一匹 is いっぴき: 一 and 匹 combine with a small っ and ぴ.

  2. Write the reading of 三匹 in hiragana.

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    さんびき

    三匹 is さんびき: the counter begins with び after 三.

  3. Choose the missing kanji: ＿敵する（ひってきする）［匹／四］.

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    匹

    匹 completes 匹敵する, meaning to rival or match.

Use it today

Write 匹 using the linked stroke diagram. Say 一匹, 二匹 and 三匹 aloud, then make a sentence with 匹敵する.