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JapanLingo

move / shift

N2
Onyomi
Kunyomi
Stroke count
11
JLPT
N2

Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.

Memory tip

A flat illustration of a road arching over a bridge across water, with the kanji 移 ("move") drawn into the picture.

Picture a road arching over a bridge across water: that is what 移 means — move / shift. Now find the part that anchors it in the character itself, 禾 (grain / rice plant) — a stalk of grain bending under its ripe head. Drop that part into the picture and the shape stops being something separate to memorise.

Stroke Order

Stroke count: 11

General writing tips

These general rules have exceptions. Follow the animation and numbered frames for this character.

  • •Write from top to bottom.
  • •Write from left to right.
  • •Write horizontal strokes before the vertical strokes that cross them.
  • •Draw an outer enclosure first, then fill in what is inside.
  • •In symmetric shapes, write the centre before the left and right sides.
  • •This kanji has 11 strokes — trace them in order in the practice area below.

Step by step

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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

ijuu

migration

ikou

transition

iten

relocation

idou

movement

idousuru

to do movement

itensuru

to do relocation

Example sentences (6)

shourai wa inaka ni ijuu shitai desu.

In the future I want to move to the countryside.

shigoto ga rimooto ni natta no o ki ni, chihou e no ijuu o kangaeteimasu.

Now that my work has gone remote, I am thinking about moving to the countryside.

atarashii shisutemu ni ikou shimashita.

We migrated to the new system.

ikou no sagyou wa, riyousha no sukunai yakan ni okonaimasu.

The migration work is carried out at night when there are few users.

takushii de kaijou made idou shimashita.

We moved to the venue by taxi.

kaigishitsu ga kawatta node, sangai ni idou shite kudasai.

The meeting room has changed, so please move to the third floor.