paper
N4- Onyomi
- シ
- Kunyomi
- かみ
- 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 紙 down and you get 糸 (thread / silk) — a thread wound on its spool, and beside it 氏 (clan / family name) — a curved line hooking back on itself, one family bound into a single shape. Picture a stack of fresh paper sheets beside a hanging brush, put 紙 inside it, and let that scene stand for "paper" — paper. 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
紙
kami
paper
手紙
tegami
letter
紙を使います
kamiotsukaimasu
to use the paper
紙を買います
kamiokaimasu
to buy the paper
紙があります
kamigaarimasu
there is a paper
手紙を使います
tegami o tsukaimasu
to use the letter
Example sentences (3)
紙に電話番号をメモしました。
かみ に でんわばんごう を めも しました。
kami ni denwabangou o memo shimashita.
I noted the phone number on a piece of paper.
紙を使いすぎないように、両面に印刷しています。
かみ を つかいすぎない よう に、りょうめん に いんさつ しています。
kami o tsukaisuginai you ni, ryoumen ni insatsu shiteimasu.
I print on both sides so that I do not use too much paper.
国の家族に手紙を書きました。
くに の かぞく に てがみ を かきました。
kuni no kazoku ni tegami o kakimashita.
I wrote a letter to my family back home.