along
N1- Onyomi
- エン
- Kunyomi
- そ(う)
- 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 沿 down and you get 氵 (water) — three drops of water running down the left edge. Picture water falling from a rock ledge into the pool below it, put 沿 inside it, and let that scene stand for "along" — along. 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 words
沿革
enkaku
history
沿革の会議があります
enkakunokaigigaarimasu
there is a meeting about history
沿革を担当しています
enkakuotantoushiteimasu
to be in charge of history
沿革の資料を作ります
enkakunoshiryouotsukurimasu
to make materials for history
沿革について報告します
enkakunitsuitehoukokushimasu
to report on history
Example sentences (4)
会社の沿革をウェブサイトに載せました。
かいしゃ の えんかく を うぇぶさいと に のせました。
kaisha no enkaku o webusaito ni nosemashita.
We put the company's history on the website.
会社の沿革を読むと、今の方針の背景がよく分かります。
かいしゃ の えんかく を よむ と、いま の ほうしん の はいけい が よく わかります。
kaisha no enkaku o yomu to, ima no houshin no haikei ga yoku wakarimasu.
Reading the company's history makes the background to its present policy clear.
本社からの通達に沿って、現場の運用も改めました。
ほんしゃ から の つうたつ に そって、げんば の うんよう も あらためました。
honsha kara no tsuutatsu ni sotte, genba no un'you mo aratamemashita.
In line with the notice from head office, we also revised how things are run on site.
トラブルが続発した原因を、時系列に沿って整理しています。
とらぶる が ぞくはつ した げんいん を、じけいれつ に そって せいり しています。
toraburu ga zokuhatsu shita gen'in o, jikeiretsu ni sotte seiri shiteimasu.
We are laying out the causes of the successive problems in chronological order.