certainly / necessary
N3- Onyomi
- ヒツ
- Kunyomi
- かなら(ず)
- 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 必 down and you get 心 (heart / feeling) — a heart, the seat of how you feel, and beside it 丿 (sweeping stroke) — a stroke sweeping down to the left. Picture a heart held inside a cord pulled taut and knotted, tied down so it cannot be done without, put 必 inside it, and let that scene stand for "certainly" — certainly / necessary. 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
必死
hisshi
desperate
必要
hitsuyou
necessary
必死な
hisshina
attributive: desperate (before a noun)
必要な
hitsuyouna
attributive: necessary (before a noun)
必死です
hisshidesu
polite: is desperate
必要です
hitsuyoudesu
polite: is necessary
Example sentences (5)
電車に乗るために必死で走りました。
でんしゃ に のる ため に ひっし で はしりました。
densha ni noru tame ni hisshi de hashirimashita.
I ran desperately to catch the train.
面接のときは、必死で覚えた自己紹介を話しました。
めんせつ の とき は、ひっし で おぼえた じこしょうかい を はなしました。
mensetsu no toki wa, hisshi de oboeta jikoshoukai o hanashimashita.
At the interview, I gave the self-introduction I had frantically memorized.
この書類が必要です。
この しょるい が ひつよう です。
kono shorui ga hitsuyou desu.
This document is necessary.
申し込みをするには、身分証明書が必要です。
もうしこみ を する に は、みぶんしょうめいしょ が ひつよう です。
moushikomi o suru ni wa, mibunshoumeisho ga hitsuyou desu.
To apply, an ID document is required.
この機能を使用するにはログインが必要です。
この きのう を しよう する に は ろぐいん が ひつよう です。
kono kinou o shiyou suru ni wa roguin ga hitsuyou desu.
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