be troubled
N3- Onyomi
- コン
- Kunyomi
- こま(る)
- Stroke count
- 7
- 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 困 down and you get 囗 (enclosure / border) — a wall drawn right round the outside, and beside it 木 (tree / wood) — a tree with branches reaching up and roots spreading down. Picture a wall drawn right around what it holds, put 困 inside it, and let that scene stand for "be troubled" — be troubled. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 7
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7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 7 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
困る
komaru
to be troubled
困窮
konkyuu
poverty
困って
komatte
be troubled — te-form
困ります
komarimasu
be troubled — polite present
困窮した
konkyuushita
plain past: did poverty
困らない
komaranai
be troubled — plain negative
Example sentences (5)
道が分からなくて困りました。
みち が わからなくて こまりました。
michi ga wakaranakute komarimashita.
I did not know the way and was stuck.
困ったときは、遠慮しないで聞いてくださいね。
こまった とき は、えんりょ しないで きいて ください ね。
komatta toki wa, enryo shinaide kiite kudasai ne.
When you are in trouble, please ask without hesitating.
設計の段階で相談しておけば、あとで困りません。
せっけい の だんかい で そうだん して おけば、あと で こまりません。
sekkei no dankai de soudan shite okeba, ato de komarimasen.
If you consult at the design stage, you will not have trouble later.
情報を共有しておけば、あとで困ることが少なくなります。
じょうほう を きょうゆう して おけば、あと で こまる こと が すくなく なります。
jouhou o kyouyuu shite okeba, ato de komaru koto ga sukunaku narimasu.
If you share information in advance, there will be fewer problems later.
困っている人を助けました。
こまっている ひと を たすけました。
komatteiru hito o tasukemashita.
I helped someone who was in trouble.