activity / life
N3- Onyomi
- カツ
- Stroke count
- 9
- JLPT
- N3
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Break 活 down and you get 氵 (water) — three drops of water running down the left edge, and beside it 舌 (tongue) — a tongue moving inside an open mouth. Picture a spring bubbling up lively while an open mouth leans in to drink from it, put 活 inside it, and let that scene stand for "activity" — activity / life. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 9
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9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 9 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
活用
katsuyou
practical use
復活
fukkatsu
revival
生活
seikatsu
daily life
活性化
kasseika
revitalization
復活した
fukkatsushita
plain past: did revival
復活する
fukkatsusuru
to do revival
Example sentences (5)
日本語の知識を仕事で活用したいです。
にほんご の ちしき を しごと で かつよう したい です。
nihongo no chishiki o shigoto de katsuyou shitai desu.
I want to make practical use of my Japanese knowledge at work.
週末の時間を活用して、資格の勉強をしています。
しゅうまつ の じかん を かつよう して、しかく の べんきょう を しています。
shuumatsu no jikan o katsuyou shite, shikaku no benkyou o shiteimasu.
I make use of my weekend time to study for a certification.
日本の生活にもう慣れました。
にほん の せいかつ に もう なれました。
nihon no seikatsu ni mou naremashita.
I have already gotten used to life in Japan.
日本の生活に慣れるまで、半年ぐらいかかりました。
にほん の せいかつ に なれる まで、はんとし ぐらい かかりました。
nihon no seikatsu ni nareru made, hantoshi gurai kakarimashita.
It took about half a year to get used to life in Japan.
近所の人と交流するようになってから、生活が楽しくなりました。
きんじょ の ひと と こうりゅう する よう に なって から、せいかつ が たのしく なりました。
kinjo no hito to kouryuu suru you ni natte kara, seikatsu ga tanoshiku narimashita.
Since I started interacting with my neighbors, life has become more enjoyable.