palm / control
N1- Onyomi
- ショウ
- Kunyomi
- てのひら
- Stroke count
- 12
- 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 掌 down and you get 尚 (still / esteemed) — smoke curling up through a little vent in the roof, and beside it 手 (hand) — a hand with its fingers and wrist. Picture rows of curved roof tiles overlapping down from the ridge, put 掌 inside it, and let that scene stand for "palm" — palm / control. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 12
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12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 12 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
掌握
shouaku
seizing control
掌握する
shouakusuru
to do seizing control
掌握した
shouakushita
plain past: did seizing control
掌握します
shouakushimasu
polite: do seizing control
掌握中です
shouakuchuudesu
in the middle of seizing control
掌握しない
shouakushinai
plain negative: does not do seizing control
Example sentences (2)
新しい社長が経営権を掌握しました。
あたらしい しゃちょう が けいえいけん を しょうあく しました。
atarashii shachou ga keieiken o shouaku shimashita.
The new president seized control of management.
現場の実情を掌握しないまま指示を出しても、うまくいきません。
げんば の じつじょう を しょうあく しない まま しじ を だして も、うまく いきません。
genba no jitsujou o shouaku shinai mama shiji o dashite mo, umaku ikimasen.
Issuing instructions without a grip on the reality on the ground will not work.