city / market
N3- Onyomi
- シ
- Kunyomi
- いち
- Stroke count
- 5
- 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 市 down and you get 亠 (lid / top) — a lid resting on the top, and beside it 巾 (cloth) — a cloth hanging down from its rail. Picture a striped cloth awning hung from a bar over a market stall counter stacked with goods, put 市 inside it, and let that scene stand for "city" — city / market. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
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
都市化
toshika
urbanization
都市化する
toshikasuru
to do urbanization
都市化した
toshikashita
plain past: did urbanization
都市化します
toshikashimasu
polite: do urbanization
都市化しない
toshikashinai
plain negative: does not do urbanization
都市化中です
toshikachuudesu
in the middle of urbanization
Example sentences (5)
市場について調査しています。
しじょう について ちょうさ しています。
shijou nitsuite chousa shiteimasu.
We are researching the market.
帰国する前に、市役所で手続きをしておく必要があります。
きこく する まえ に、しやくしょ で てつづき を して おく ひつよう が あります。
kikoku suru mae ni, shiyakusho de tetsuzuki o shite oku hitsuyou ga arimasu.
Before returning to your country, you need to complete procedures at the city hall.
申請に必要なものを揃えてから、市役所に行きましょう。
しんせい に ひつような もの を そろえて から、しやくしょ に いきましょう。
shinsei ni hitsuyouna mono o soroete kara, shiyakusho ni ikimashou.
Let us go to the city hall after gathering everything needed for the application.
商売を始めるなら、まず市場を調べたほうがいいです。
しょうばい を はじめる なら、まず しじょう を しらべた ほう が いい です。
shoubai o hajimeru nara, mazu shijou o shirabeta hou ga ii desu.
If you are going to start a business, you should research the market first.
市役所の窓口で手続きをしました。
しやくしょ の まどぐち で てつづき を しました。
shiyakusho no madoguchi de tetsuzuki o shimashita.
I completed the procedure at the city hall counter.