divide / rate
N3- Onyomi
- カツ
- Kunyomi
- わ(る)・わり
- Stroke count
- 12
- 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 割 down and you get 害 (harm / damage) — a mouth shut in under a roof, marked by cuts along the top, and beside it 刂 (divide / cut) — a straight cut down the right-hand side. Picture a block split cleanly into two halves, put 割 inside it, and let that scene stand for "divide" — divide / rate. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 12
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12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 12 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
割れる
wareru
to crack
割れて
warete
crack — te-form
割れます
waremasu
crack — polite present
割れました
waremashita
crack — polite past
割れません
waremasen
crack — polite negative
割れたいです
waretaidesu
crack — want to ~
Example sentences (3)
コップが落ちて割れました。
こっぷ が おちて われました。
koppu ga ochite waremashita.
The cup fell and broke.
割れやすい物なので、気をつけて運んでください。
われやすい もの な ので、き を つけて はこんで ください。
wareyasui mono na node, ki o tsukete hakonde kudasai.
It breaks easily, so please carry it carefully.
ガラスのコップが割れました。
がらす の こっぷ が われました。
garasu no koppu ga waremashita.
The glass cup broke.