Discover 折 in everyday actions and compound words. Learn each reading with its word and context.

The idea

折 has 7 strokes; use the linked diagram for their order. 折る（おる） means to fold or break something; 折れる（おれる） can mean to break or turn. 骨折（こっせつ） means a fracture.

Patterns to compare
WordReadingExample in context
折るおるI fold the paper in half.
折れるおれるThe branch broke in the wind.
折り紙おりがみMy younger sister makes a crane out of origami paper.
骨折こっせつHe broke his leg.

Examples

  • 紙かみを半分はんぶんに折おります。I fold the paper in half.
  • 角かどを右みぎに折おれます。I turn right at the corner.
  • 風かぜで枝えだが折おれました。The branch broke in the wind.
  • 妹いもうとは折おり紙がみで鶴つるを作つくります。My younger sister makes a crane out of origami paper.
  • この椅子いすは折おりたためます。This chair folds up.
  • 彼かれは足あしを骨折こっせつしました。He broke his leg.

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

Watch out

折る takes an object, while 折れる describes something breaking or a person turning. The reading せつ in 骨折 differs from お in 折る.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 折る in hiragana.

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    おる

    折る is おる: 紙を折る means to fold paper. The object is marked by を.

  2. Write the reading of 骨折 in hiragana.

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    こっせつ

    骨折 is こっせつ: it means a bone fracture. The small っ gives the following consonant a pause.

  3. Choose the missing kanji: ＿り紙（おりがみ）［折／近］.

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    折

    折 completes 折り紙（おりがみ）, paper folding or origami paper. Here 折 is read お.

Use it today

Write 折 following the diagram. Cover the table, read 折る and 骨折, then make a sentence with one.