penetrate / thorough
N1- Onyomi
- テツ
- Stroke count
- 15
- JLPT
- N1
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Break 徹 down and you get 彳 (step / going) — the left half of a crossroads, where people walk. Picture a pedestrian crossing marked with painted stripes, put 徹 inside it, and let that scene stand for "penetrate" — penetrate / thorough. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 15
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15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 15 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
徹底
tettei
thoroughness
貫徹
kantetsu
carrying through
徹底する
tetteisuru
to do thoroughness
貫徹する
kantetsusuru
to do carrying through
貫徹した
kantetsushita
plain past: did carrying through
徹底した
tetteishita
plain past: did thoroughness
Example sentences (4)
安全管理を徹底してください。
あんぜん かんり を てってい して ください。
anzen kanri o tettei shite kudasai.
Please be thorough with safety management.
情報管理の徹底をもって、再発の防止に努めてまいります。
じょうほう かんり の てってい を もって、さいはつ の ぼうし に つとめて まいります。
jouhou kanri no tettei o motte, saihatsu no boushi ni tsutomete mairimasu.
Through thorough information management, we will work to prevent any recurrence.
彼は自分の主張を貫徹しました。
かれ は じぶん の しゅちょう を かんてつ しました。
kare wa jibun no shuchou o kantetsu shimashita.
He carried his argument through to the end.
周囲の反対にあっても初志を貫徹した点は、高く評価されています。
しゅうい の はんたい に あって も しょし を かんてつ した てん は、たかく ひょうか されています。
shuui no hantai ni atte mo shoshi o kantetsu shita ten wa, takaku hyouka sareteimasu.
Carrying his original intent through despite opposition is highly regarded.