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JapanLingo

knock / polish writing

N1
Onyomi
Kunyomi
Stroke count
14
JLPT
N1

Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.

Memory tip

A flat illustration of rows of curved roof tiles overlapping down from the ridge, with the kanji 敲 ("knock") drawn into the picture.

Break 敲 down and you get 高 (tall) — a tall tower rising storey upon storey above the rooftops around it, and beside it 攴 (strike / tap) — a hand raised to give a light, deliberate tap. Picture rows of curved roof tiles overlapping down from the ridge, put 敲 inside it, and let that scene stand for "knock" — knock / polish writing. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

Stroke Order

Stroke count: 14

General writing tips

These general rules have exceptions. Follow the animation and numbered frames for this character.

  • •Write from top to bottom.
  • •Write from left to right.
  • •Write horizontal strokes before the vertical strokes that cross them.
  • •Draw an outer enclosure first, then fill in what is inside.
  • •In symmetric shapes, write the centre before the left and right sides.
  • •This kanji has 14 strokes — trace them in order in the practice area below.

Step by step

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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

suikou

polishing (writing)

suikousuru

to do polishing (writing)

suikoushita

plain past: did polishing (writing)

suikoushimasu

polite: do polishing (writing)

suikoushinai

plain negative: does not do polishing (writing)

suikouchuudesu

in the middle of polishing (writing)

Example sentences (2)

teishutsumae ni bunshou o suikou shimashita.

I polished the text before submitting it.

nando mo suikou o kasaneta ue de, youyaku genkou o teishutsu shimashita.

After polishing it over and over, I finally submitted the manuscript.