change / -ization
N3- Onyomi
- カ
- Kunyomi
- ば(ける)
- Stroke count
- 4
- 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 化 down and you get 亻 (person) — a person standing at the left of the scene, and beside it 匕 (spoon / change) — a spoon turned over to tip out what it holds. Picture a ladle flipping upside down and tipping out what it held, beside a standing figure, put 化 inside it, and let that scene stand for "change" — change / -ization. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 4
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4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 4 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
文化
bunka
culture
変化
henka
change
進化
shinka
evolution
退化
taika
degeneration
老化
rouka
aging
悪化
akka
worsening
Example sentences (4)
日本の文化に興味があります。
にほん の ぶんか に きょうみ が あります。
nihon no bunka ni kyoumi ga arimasu.
I am interested in Japanese culture.
文化が違うので、驚くことがときどきあります。
ぶんか が ちがう ので、おどろく こと が ときどき あります。
bunka ga chigau node, odoroku koto ga tokidoki arimasu.
Cultures differ, so there are sometimes surprises.
この業界は変化が激しいので、勉強を続ける必要があります。
この ぎょうかい は へんか が はげしい ので、べんきょう を つづける ひつよう が あります。
kono gyoukai wa henka ga hageshii node, benkyou o tsuzukeru hitsuyou ga arimasu.
Change is intense in this industry, so you need to keep studying.
宗教や文化が違っても、一緒に働くことはできます。
しゅうきょう や ぶんか が ちがって も、いっしょ に はたらく こと は できます。
shuukyou ya bunka ga chigatte mo, issho ni hataraku koto wa dekimasu.
Even if religion and culture differ, we can still work together.