earn
N1- Onyomi
- カ
- Kunyomi
- かせ(ぐ)
- Stroke count
- 15
- JLPT
- N1
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Break 稼 down and you get 禾 (grain / rice plant) — a stalk of grain bending under its ripe head, and beside it 家 (house / home) — a whole household gathered safe together under one roof. Picture a ripe stalk of grain, put 稼 inside it, and let that scene stand for "earn" — earn. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 15
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15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 15 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
稼働
kadou
operation (of machines)
稼ぐ
kasegu
to earn
稼いで
kaseide
earn — te-form
稼ぎます
kasegimasu
earn — polite present
稼働した
kadoushita
plain past: did operation (of machines)
稼がない
kaseganai
earn — plain negative
Example sentences (6)
サーバーは24時間稼働しています。
さーばー は にじゅうよじかん かどう しています。
saabaa wa nijuuyojikan kadou shiteimasu.
The servers run around the clock.
新システムの稼働に伴い、旧システムは今月末で停止します。
しん しすてむ の かどう に ともない、きゅう しすてむ は こんげつまつ で ていし します。
shin shisutemu no kadou ni tomonai, kyuu shisutemu wa kongetsumatsu de teishi shimasu.
With the new system going live, the old one will shut down at the end of this month.
学生のときはアルバイトでお金を稼ぎました。
がくせい の とき は あるばいと で おかね を かせぎました。
gakusei no toki wa arubaito de okane o kasegimashita.
When I was a student, I earned money with a part-time job.
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.
アルバイトで生活費を稼いでいます。
あるばいと で せいかつひ を かせいでいます。
arubaito de seikatsuhi o kaseideimasu.
I earn my living expenses through a part-time job.
稼いだお金の半分は貯金するようにしています。
かせいだ おかね の はんぶん は ちょきん する よう に しています。
kaseida okane no hanbun wa chokin suru you ni shiteimasu.
I make a point of saving half the money I earn.