decrease
N3- Onyomi
- ゲン
- Kunyomi
- へ(る)
- Stroke count
- 12
- 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 減 down and you get 氵 (water) — three drops of water running down the left edge, and beside it 咸 (all / entirely) — a mouth boxed in on every side, nothing left outside it. Picture a tank sealed shut on every side, its water line marked lower than before, put 減 inside it, and let that scene stand for "decrease" — decrease. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 12
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12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 12 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
減少
genshou
decrease
激減
gekigen
sharp decrease
減税
genzei
tax cut
減らす
herasu
to reduce
減税する
genzeisuru
to do tax cut
激減する
gekigensuru
to do sharp decrease
Example sentences (1)
この町の人口は減っています。
この まち の じんこう は へっています。
kono machi no jinkou wa hetteimasu.
The population of this town is decreasing.