# 裂 — rip; split

裂 means “rip; split”. It is a JLPT N1 kanji written with 12 strokes. On'yomi: レツ (retsu). Kun'yomi: さ(く) (saku). You'll see it in words such as 裂く (saku, “to tear; to rip up”).

- Meaning: rip; split
- On'yomi: レツ (retsu)
- Kun'yomi: さ(く) (saku)
- Strokes: 12
- Level: JLPT N1 · set Hands at work 3

## How to remember 裂

Sounds like 列: both read レツ.

Parts: 列 row · 衣 garment

## Words with 裂

| Word | Reading | Meaning |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 裂く | さく (saku) | to tear; to rip up |
| 裂ける | さける (sakeru) | to split; to tear |

## Don't confuse it with

[製](https://moji.ninja/n3-kanji/manufacture/)

## More in the “Hands at work 3” set

[携](https://moji.ninja/n1-kanji/carry-along/) · [掛](https://moji.ninja/n1-kanji/hang/) · [裂](https://moji.ninja/n1-kanji/rip/) · [排](https://moji.ninja/n1-kanji/expel/) · [扱](https://moji.ninja/n1-kanji/handle/) · [貫](https://moji.ninja/n1-kanji/pierce-through/) · [飾](https://moji.ninja/n1-kanji/decorate/) · [敷](https://moji.ninja/n1-kanji/spread-out/)

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From Moji Ninja (https://moji.ninja/), a free app for learning hiragana, katakana and the JLPT kanji from N5 to N1 with spaced repetition. Page: https://moji.ninja/n1-kanji/rip/. Last updated 2026-11-01.