steam
N2- Onyomi
- ジョウ
- Kunyomi
- む(す)
- 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
Picture a steaming bowl of food: that is what 蒸 means — steam. Now find the part that anchors it in the character itself, 艹 (grass / plant) — two shoots pushing up through the soil. Drop that part into the picture and the shape stops being something separate to memorise.
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
蒸留
jouryuu
distillation
蒸発
jouhatsu
evaporation
蒸発する
jouhatsusuru
to do evaporation
蒸留する
jouryuusuru
to do distillation
蒸留した
jouryuushita
plain past: did distillation
蒸発した
jouhatsushita
plain past: did evaporation
Example sentences (2)
野菜を蒸して食べると甘くなります。
やさい を むして たべる と あまく なります。
yasai o mushite taberu to amaku narimasu.
Vegetables turn sweet when you steam them.
今日は蒸し暑くて汗が出ます。
きょう は むしあつくて あせ が でます。
kyou wa mushiatsukute ase ga demasu.
It is muggy today and I am sweating.