whole / entirely
N3- Onyomi
- ゼン
- Kunyomi
- まった(く)
- Stroke count
- 6
- JLPT
- N3
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Break 全 down and you get 人 (person) — a person standing on two legs, and beside it 王 (king / jewel) — a jewel on its stand. Picture two people standing side by side, put 全 inside it, and let that scene stand for "whole" — whole / entirely. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 6
General writing tips
These general rules have exceptions. Follow the animation and numbered frames for this character.
- •上から下へ書きます。Write from top to bottom.
- •左から右へ書きます。Write from left to right.
- •横の画を先に、縦の画を後に書きます。Write horizontal strokes before the vertical strokes that cross them.
- •外側の囲みを先に書き、中を後で書きます。Draw an outer enclosure first, then fill in what is inside.
- •中央を先に、左右を後に書きます。In symmetric shapes, write the centre before the left and right sides.
- •この漢字は6画です。下の練習エリアで順番に書いてみましょう。This kanji has 6 strokes — trace them in order in the practice area below.
Step by step
Practice Writing
Free writing practice — compare your writing with the example. This canvas does not check your shape or stroke order. Draw with a mouse, finger, or pen; scroll outside the square to move down the page.
Trace the faded character, or hide the outline to practise from memory.
Writing Tips
- Follow the order strictly: top-to-bottom and left-to-right. Correct order makes the shape balanced and natural.
- Keep each stroke in one smooth motion — don't lift the pen in the middle of a stroke.
- Close enclosing strokes cleanly so the character does not look open or broken.
- Common mistake: drawing strokes bottom-to-top or right-to-left. Even if the result looks similar, the wrong order shows in handwriting and makes it harder to read.
Example words
安全
anzen
safe
安全な
anzenna
attributive: safe (before a noun)
安全です
anzendesu
polite: is safe
安全じゃないです
anzenjanaidesu
polite negative: is not safe
Example sentences (4)
この道のほうが安全です。
この みち の ほう が あんぜん です。
kono michi no hou ga anzen desu.
This road is safer.
工場では、安全に気をつけて働かなければなりません。
こうじょう で は、あんぜん に き を つけて はたらかなければ なりません。
koujou de wa, anzen ni ki o tsukete hatarakanakereba narimasen.
At the factory, you have to work with safety in mind.
安全のために、月に一度点検することになっています。
あんぜん の ため に、つき に いちど てんけん する こと に なっています。
anzen no tame ni, tsuki ni ichido tenken suru koto ni natteimasu.
For safety, we are supposed to inspect it once a month.
全部一人でやらないで、できるところは後輩に任せましょう。
ぜんぶ ひとり で やらないで、できる ところ は こうはい に まかせましょう。
zenbu hitori de yaranaide, dekiru tokoro wa kouhai ni makasemashou.
Rather than doing it all alone, let us entrust what we can to junior staff.