build
N4- Onyomi
- ケン
- Kunyomi
- た(てる)
- Stroke count
- 9
- JLPT
- N4
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Break 建 down and you get 聿 (brush / writing) — a hand holding a brush over the paper, and beside it 廴 (stretch / extend) — a road dragged out longer, stretching past where it would normally stop. Picture a milestone post standing beside the road, put 建 inside it, and let that scene stand for "build" — build. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 9
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9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 9 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
建設
kensetsu
construction
再建
saiken
rebuilding
建設する
kensetsusuru
to do construction
再建する
saikensuru
to do rebuilding
再建した
saikenshita
plain past: did rebuilding
建設した
kensetsushita
plain past: did construction
Example sentences (2)
駅の前に新しいビルを建てています。
えき の まえ に あたらしい びる を たてて います。
eki no mae ni atarashii biru o tatete imasu.
They are putting up a new building in front of the station.
この建物は百年前に建てられました。
この たてもの は ひゃくねん まえ に たてられました。
kono tatemono wa hyakunen mae ni tateraremashita.
This building was put up a hundred years ago.