general / outline
N1- Onyomi
- ガイ
- 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
Break 概 down and you get 木 (tree / wood) — a tree with branches reaching up and roots spreading down, and beside it 既 (already) — a bowl already emptied, the eater turning away from it. Picture a felled tree trunk lying beside its stump, put 概 inside it, and let that scene stand for "general" — general / outline. 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.
- •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14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 14 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
概算
gaisan
rough estimate
概要
gaiyou
overview
概算する
gaisansuru
to do rough estimate
概算した
gaisanshita
plain past: did rough estimate
概算しない
gaisanshinai
plain negative: does not do rough estimate
概算します
gaisanshimasu
polite: do rough estimate
Example sentences (4)
費用を概算で出しました。
ひよう を がいさん で だしました。
hiyou o gaisan de dashimashita.
I gave a rough estimate of the costs.
概算では、初年度の費用は五百万円といったところです。
がいさん で は、しょねんど の ひよう は ごひゃくまんえん と いった ところ です。
gaisan de wa, shonendo no hiyou wa gohyakuman'en to itta tokoro desu.
At a rough estimate, first-year costs come to something like five million yen.
プロジェクトの概要を説明します。
ぷろじぇくと の がいよう を せつめい します。
purojekuto no gaiyou o setsumei shimasu.
I will explain the overview of the project.
概要だけでは判断できないため、詳細な資料をお送りください。
がいよう だけ で は はんだん できない ため、しょうさい な しりょう を おおくり ください。
gaiyou dake de wa handan dekinai tame, shousai na shiryou o ookuri kudasai.
Since we cannot decide from the overview alone, please send the detailed materials.