illness
N4- Onyomi
- ビョウ
- Kunyomi
- やまい
- Stroke count
- 10
- JLPT
- N4
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Break 病 down and you get 疒 (illness) — someone lying on a bed, resting. Picture a person resting under a blanket in bed, put 病 inside it, and let that scene stand for "illness" — illness. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 10
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10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 10 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
病院
byouin
hospital
病院に行きます
byouin ni ikimasu
to go to the hospital
病院の近くです
byouin no chikaku desu
near the hospital
病院で働いています
byouin de hataraiteimasu
to work at the hospital
Example sentences (3)
病院は駅の隣にあります。
びょういん は えき の となり に あります。
byouin wa eki no tonari ni arimasu.
The hospital is next to the station.
昨日、病院へ行きました。
きのう、びょういん へ いきました。
kinou, byouin e ikimashita.
I went to the hospital yesterday.
おなかが痛いなら、早く病院へ行ったほうがいいです。
おなか が いたい なら、はやく びょういん へ いった ほう が いい です。
onaka ga itai nara, hayaku byouin e itta hou ga ii desu.
If your stomach hurts, it is better to go to the hospital soon.