leave / past
N4- Onyomi
- キョ・コ
- Kunyomi
- さ(る)
- Stroke count
- 5
- JLPT
- N4
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Picture a gateway standing open: that is what 去 means — leave / past. Now find the part that anchors it in the character itself, 土 (earth / soil) — a mound of earth pushed up from flat ground, and beside it 厶 (private / self) — arms drawn in, keeping something to oneself. Drop that part into the picture and the shape stops being something separate to memorise.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 5
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5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 5 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
撤去
tekkyo
removal
撤去する
tekkyosuru
to do removal
撤去した
tekkyoshita
plain past: did removal
撤去します
tekkyoshimasu
polite: do removal
撤去中です
tekkyochuudesu
in the middle of removal
撤去しない
tekkyoshinai
plain negative: does not do removal
Example sentences (3)
去年、大学を卒業しました。
きょねん、だいがく を そつぎょう しました。
kyonen, daigaku o sotsugyou shimashita.
I graduated from university last year.
去年と比べると、日本語がずいぶん上手になりました。
きょねん と くらべる と、にほんご が ずいぶん じょうず に なりました。
kyonen to kuraberu to, nihongo ga zuibun jouzu ni narimashita.
Compared with last year, my Japanese has gotten much better.
おじいさんは去年、病気で死にました。
おじいさん は きょねん、びょうき で しにました。
ojiisan wa kyonen, byouki de shinimashita.
My grandfather died of an illness last year.