politics / government
N3- Onyomi
- セイ
- Kunyomi
- まつりごと
- Stroke count
- 9
- 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 政 down and you get 正 (correct / just) — a foot stopped square on the line, and beside it 攵 (strike / action) — a hand raised to make something happen. Picture a hand pressing a crooked post until it stands straight, put 政 inside it, and let that scene stand for "politics" — politics / government. 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
政治
seiji
politics
財政
zaisei
public finance
政治が大切です
seijigataisetsudesu
politics is important
政治が必要です
seijigahitsuyoudesu
politics is necessary
政治を考えます
seijiokangaemasu
to think about politics
財政が大切です
zaiseigataisetsudesu
public finance is important
Example sentences (2)
若い人は政治にあまり興味がありません。
わかい ひと は せいじ に あまり きょうみ が ありません。
wakai hito wa seiji ni amari kyoumi ga arimasen.
Young people are not very interested in politics.
政治のニュースは難しいですが、少しずつ分かるようになりました。
せいじ の にゅーす は むずかしい です が、すこし ずつ わかる よう に なりました。
seiji no nyuusu wa muzukashii desu ga, sukoshi zutsu wakaru you ni narimashita.
Political news is difficult, but I have gradually become able to understand it.