mend
N1- Onyomi
- ゼン
- Kunyomi
- つくろ(う)
- Stroke count
- 18
- 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 繕 down and you get 糸 (thread / silk) — a thread wound on its spool, and beside it 善 (good / virtuous) — two mouths speaking kindly, both praising the same gentle thing. Picture a needle threaded and ready to sew, put 繕 inside it, and let that scene stand for "mend" — mend. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 18
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18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 18 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
繕う
tsukurou
to mend
繕って
tsukurotte
mend — te-form
繕います
tsukuroimasu
mend — polite present
繕わない
tsukurowanai
mend — plain negative
繕いました
tsukuroimashita
mend — polite past
繕いません
tsukuroimasen
mend — polite negative
Example sentences (2)
破れた作業着を自分で繕いました。
やぶれた さぎょうぎ を じぶん で つくろいました。
yabureta sagyougi o jibun de tsukuroimashita.
I mended the torn work clothes myself.
ほころびを繕うだけでは、根本的な解決にはなりません。
ほころび を つくろう だけ で は、こんぽんてき な かいけつ に は なりません。
hokorobi o tsukurou dake de wa, konponteki na kaiketsu ni wa narimasen.
Merely patching over the tears does not amount to a real solution.