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N2- Onyomi
- カク
- Stroke count
- 8
- JLPT
- N2
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Break 拡 down and you get 扌 (hand) — a hand reaching in from the left. Picture two cupped hands together, offering something held between them, put 拡 inside it, and let that scene stand for "expand" — expand. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 8
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8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 8 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
拡大
kakudai
expansion
拡充
kakujuu
expansion
拡張
kakuchou
extension
拡大する
kakudaisuru
to do expansion
拡張する
kakuchousuru
to do extension
拡大した
kakudaishita
plain past: did expansion
Example sentences (2)
会社は海外事業を拡大しています。
かいしゃ は かいがい じぎょう を かくだい しています。
kaisha wa kaigai jigyou o kakudai shiteimasu.
The company is expanding its overseas business.
需要の伸びに伴って、生産の規模も拡大しつつあります。
じゅよう の のび に ともなって、せいさん の きぼ も かくだい しつつ あります。
juyou no nobi ni tomonatte, seisan no kibo mo kakudai shitsutsu arimasu.
As demand grows, the scale of production is expanding as well.