disaster
N3- Onyomi
- サイ
- Kunyomi
- わざわ(い)
- Stroke count
- 7
- 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 災 down and you get 巛 (stream) — three curling lines of water swirling instead of running straight, and beside it 火 (fire) — a fire with sparks flying off to both sides. Picture a stepping stone in the middle of a flowing river, put 災 inside it, and let that scene stand for "disaster" — disaster. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 7
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7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 7 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
災害
saigai
disaster
災害する
saigaisuru
to do disaster
災害した
saigaishita
plain past: did disaster
災害します
saigaishimasu
polite: do disaster
災害しない
saigaishinai
plain negative: does not do disaster
災害中です
saigaichuudesu
in the middle of disaster
Example sentences (2)
災害に備えて水を用意しています。
さいがい に そなえて みず を ようい して います。
saigai ni sonaete mizu o youi shite imasu.
I keep water ready in case of a disaster.
冬は火災に気をつけてください。
ふゆ は かさい に き を つけて ください。
fuyu wa kasai ni ki o tsukete kudasai.
Please be careful of fires in winter.