辣 means “spicy, harsh”

らつ · ratsu

Also: pungent, cruel

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

からい

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

ラツ

JLPT N1 · Taught in secondary school · 14 strokes

The story

Spicy (辛) beside a bundle (束): picture chilies tied in bunches to dry. 辣 is a fierce bite, in food or in words: ラー油, chili oil, is 辣油 in kanji, 辛辣 is scathing, and 辣腕 is a sharp, formidable hand at business.

Used in 辛辣 (shinratsu, scathing), 辣腕 (ratsuwan, shrewd ability), and 辣油 (raayu, chili oil)

More from Flavors & Brews

• 渋 astringent
• 旨 gist
• 熟 ripe
• 糖 sugar
• 滋 nourishing
• 酔 get drunk
• 釜 pot
• 漬 pickle
• 醸 brew
• 酵 fermentation
• 鉢 bowl
• 酪 dairy

Learn 辣 and more kanji free on Fuji Learning · All kanji

Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.