tax
N2- Onyomi
- ゼイ
- Stroke count
- 12
- JLPT
- N2
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Break 税 down and you get 禾 (grain / rice plant) — a stalk of grain bending under its ripe head, and beside it 兌 (exchange / pleased) — an open mouth held above a pair of legs, pleased and speaking out. Picture a ripe stalk of grain, put 税 inside it, and let that scene stand for "tax" — tax. 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
税金
zeikin
tax
納税
nouzei
tax payment
課税
kazei
taxation
減税
genzei
tax cut
増税
zouzei
tax increase
徴税
chouzei
tax collection
Example sentences (6)
給料から税金が引かれます。
きゅうりょう から ぜいきん が ひかれます。
kyuuryou kara zeikin ga hikaremasu.
Taxes are deducted from your salary.
税金の手続きが難しいので、専門家に相談しました。
ぜいきん の てつづき が むずかしい ので、せんもんか に そうだん しました。
zeikin no tetsuzuki ga muzukashii node, senmonka ni soudan shimashita.
The tax procedures were difficult, so I consulted a specialist.
住民税は、給料から自動的に徴収されます。
じゅうみんぜい は、きゅうりょう から じどうてき に ちょうしゅう されます。
juuminzei wa, kyuuryou kara jidouteki ni choushuu saremasu.
Residence tax is collected automatically from your salary.
毎年、税金を申告しています。
まいとし、ぜいきん を しんこく しています。
maitoshi, zeikin o shinkoku shiteimasu.
I file my taxes every year.
副業で稼ぐ場合も、税金の申告を忘れてはいけません。
ふくぎょう で かせぐ ばあい も、ぜいきん の しんこく を わすれて は いけません。
fukugyou de kasegu baai mo, zeikin no shinkoku o wasurete wa ikemasen.
Even when earning from side work, you must not forget to file your taxes.
毎年、税金を納めています。
まいとし、ぜいきん を おさめて います。
maitoshi, zeikin o osamete imasu.
I pay my taxes every year.