joy / welcome
N1- Onyomi
- カン
- Stroke count
- 15
- JLPT
- N1
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Picture a heart-shaped lantern glowing on its string: that is what 歓 means — joy / welcome. Now find the part that anchors it in the character itself, 欠 (lack / open mouth) — a person leaning forward with their mouth open. Drop that part into the picture and the shape stops being something separate to memorise.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 15
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15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 15 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
歓迎
kangei
welcome
歓談
kandan
friendly chat
歓迎する
kangeisuru
to do welcome
歓談する
kandansuru
to do friendly chat
歓談した
kandanshita
plain past: did friendly chat
歓迎した
kangeishita
plain past: did welcome
Example sentences (5)
新しいメンバーを歓迎します。
あたらしい めんばー を かんげい します。
atarashii menbaa o kangei shimasu.
We welcome the new members.
率直な意見はいつでも歓迎しますので、遠慮なくお聞かせください。
そっちょく な いけん は いつ で も かんげい します ので、えんりょ なく おきかせ ください。
sotchoku na iken wa itsu de mo kangei shimasu node, enryo naku okikase kudasai.
Frank opinions are always welcome, so please share them without hesitation.
パーティーで参加者が歓談しました。
ぱーてぃー で さんかしゃ が かんだん しました。
paatii de sankasha ga kandan shimashita.
The participants chatted pleasantly at the party.
歓談の時間を設けたことで、部署を越えた交流が生まれました。
かんだん の じかん を もうけた こと で、ぶしょ を こえた こうりゅう が うまれました。
kandan no jikan o mouketa koto de, busho o koeta kouryuu ga umaremashita.
Setting aside time for informal conversation created exchange across departments.
温かい歓迎に感激しました。
あたたかい かんげい に かんげき しました。
atatakai kangei ni kangeki shimashita.
I was deeply moved by the warm welcome.