crime
N2- Onyomi
- ザイ
- Kunyomi
- つみ
- Stroke count
- 13
- 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 罪 down and you get 罒 (eye / net) — an eye laid on its side, watching from above, and beside it 非 (wrong / not) — two wings spread apart, feathers pointing in opposite directions. Picture an eye looking straight ahead, put 罪 inside it, and let that scene stand for "crime" — crime. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 13
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13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 13 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
謝罪
shazai
apology
謝罪する
shazaisuru
to do apology
謝罪した
shazaishita
plain past: did apology
謝罪します
shazaishimasu
polite: do apology
謝罪中です
shazaichuudesu
in the middle of apology
謝罪しない
shazaishinai
plain negative: does not do apology
Example sentences (2)
会社は顧客に謝罪しました。
かいしゃ は こきゃく に しゃざい しました。
kaisha wa kokyaku ni shazai shimashita.
The company apologized to its customers.
言い訳をする前に、まず謝罪するべきでしょう。
いいわけ を する まえ に、まず しゃざい する べき でしょう。
iiwake o suru mae ni, mazu shazai suru beki deshou.
Before making excuses, you should apologize first.