exist / located in
N3- Onyomi
- ザイ
- Kunyomi
- あ(る)
- Stroke count
- 6
- 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 在 down and you get 土 (earth / soil) — a mound of earth pushed up from flat ground. Picture a mound of earth raised from flat ground, put 在 inside it, and let that scene stand for "exist" — exist / located in. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 6
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6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 6 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
在庫
zaiko
inventory
滞在
taizai
stay
在勤
zaikin
being employed at
在籍
zaiseki
enrollment
潜在的
senzaiteki
latent
滞在する
taizaisuru
to do stay
Example sentences (3)
在留カードの申請には、写真が必要だそうです。
ざいりゅう かーど の しんせい に は、しゃしん が ひつよう だ そう です。
zairyuu kaado no shinsei ni wa, shashin ga hitsuyou da sou desu.
I hear you need a photo to apply for a residence card.
在宅勤務が認められたので、通勤が週二回になりました。
ざいたく きんむ が みとめられた ので、つうきん が しゅう にかい に なりました。
zaitaku kinmu ga mitomerareta node, tsuukin ga shuu nikai ni narimashita.
Working from home was approved, so I now commute twice a week.
現在の状況を報告してください。
げんざい の じょうきょう を ほうこく して ください。
genzai no joukyou o houkoku shite kudasai.
Please report on the current situation.