harmony / Japanese style
N3- Onyomi
- ワ
- Kunyomi
- やわ(らぐ)
- Stroke count
- 8
- 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 和 down and you get 禾 (grain / rice plant) — a stalk of grain bending under its ripe head, and beside it 口 (mouth / opening) — an open mouth, or any opening. Picture a ripe stalk of grain, put 和 inside it, and let that scene stand for "harmony" — harmony / Japanese style. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 8
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8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 8 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
飽和
houwa
saturation
和らげる
yawarageru
to soften
飽和した
houwashita
plain past: did saturation
和らげて
yawaragete
soften — te-form
飽和する
houwasuru
to do saturation
飽和します
houwashimasu
polite: do saturation
Example sentences (2)
和食が好きなので、よく作ります。
わしょく が すきな ので、よく つくります。
washoku ga sukina node, yoku tsukurimasu.
I like Japanese food, so I often cook it.
部屋に和室がひとつあります。
へや に わしつ が ひとつ あります。
heya ni washitsu ga hitotsu arimasu.
There is one Japanese-style room in the house.