pivot / center
N1- Onyomi
- スウ
- Stroke count
- 8
- 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 枢 down and you get 木 (tree / wood) — a tree with branches reaching up and roots spreading down, and beside it 区 (district / divide) — a box with a cross cut through the middle, splitting it into sections. Picture a felled tree trunk lying beside its stump, put 枢 inside it, and let that scene stand for "pivot" — pivot / center. 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 sentences (2)
会社の中枢を担う部署に配属されました。
かいしゃ の ちゅうすう を になう ぶしょ に はいぞく されました。
kaisha no chuusuu o ninau busho ni haizoku saremashita.
I was assigned to a department at the heart of the company.
この決定は中枢的な意味を持ちます。
この けってい は ちゅうすうてきな いみ を もちます。
kono kettei wa chuusuutekina imi o mochimasu.
This decision is of central importance.