employment / job
N3- Onyomi
- ショク
- Stroke count
- 18
- JLPT
- N3
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Break 職 down and you get 耳 (ear) — an ear turned towards the sound, and beside it 戠 (mark / distinguish) — a sound cut sharp and clear enough that everyone recognises it. Picture an ear turned towards an incoming sound, put 職 inside it, and let that scene stand for "employment" — employment / job. 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
退職
taishoku
resignation
職場
shokuba
workplace
職業
shokugyou
occupation
辞職
jishoku
resignation
汚職
oshoku
corruption
就職
shuushoku
getting a job
Example sentences (5)
先輩は先月、会社を退職しました。
せんぱい は せんげつ、かいしゃ を たいしょく しました。
senpai wa sengetsu, kaisha o taishoku shimashita.
My senior colleague left the company last month.
退職する場合は、一か月前に伝えることになっています。
たいしょく する ばあい は、いっかげつ まえ に つたえる こと に なっています。
taishoku suru baai wa, ikkagetsu mae ni tsutaeru koto ni natteimasu.
If you resign, you are supposed to give notice one month in advance.
職場の雰囲気はとても良いです。
しょくば の ふんいき は とても よい です。
shokuba no fun'iki wa totemo yoi desu.
The atmosphere at my workplace is very good.
職場の人と話す機会が増えて、日本語が上手になりました。
しょくば の ひと と はなす きかい が ふえて、にほんご が じょうず に なりました。
shokuba no hito to hanasu kikai ga fuete, nihongo ga jouzu ni narimashita.
I got more chances to talk with people at work, and my Japanese improved.
書類に職業を書く欄があります。
しょるい に しょくぎょう を かく らん が あります。
shorui ni shokugyou o kaku ran ga arimasu.
There is a space on the form to write your occupation.