tense / tight
N2- Onyomi
- キン
- Stroke count
- 15
- 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 緊 down and you get 糸 (thread / silk) — a thread wound on its spool. Picture thread wound onto a spool, put 緊 inside it, and let that scene stand for "tense" — tense / tight. 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
緊張
kinchou
nervousness
緊張する
kinchousuru
to do nervousness
緊張した
kinchoushita
plain past: did nervousness
緊張します
kinchoushimasu
polite: do nervousness
緊張しない
kinchoushinai
plain negative: does not do nervousness
緊張中です
kinchouchuudesu
in the middle of nervousness
Example sentences (3)
面接の前はいつも緊張します。
めんせつ の まえ は いつも きんちょう します。
mensetsu no mae wa itsumo kinchou shimasu.
I always get nervous before interviews.
何度も練習しておけば、そんなに緊張しないと思います。
なんど も れんしゅう して おけば、そんな に きんちょう しない と おもいます。
nando mo renshuu shite okeba, sonna ni kinchou shinai to omoimasu.
If you practice many times beforehand, I think you will not be so nervous.
緊張する癖を克服したいです。
きんちょう する くせ を こくふく したい です。
kinchou suru kuse o kokufuku shitai desu.
I want to overcome my habit of getting nervous.