knowledge / discriminate
N3- Onyomi
- シキ
- Stroke count
- 19
- 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 識 down and you get 言 (speech / words) — words rising out of an open mouth, and beside it 戠 (mark / distinguish) — a sound cut sharp and clear enough that everyone recognises it. Picture a megaphone broadcasting sound waves outward, put 識 inside it, and let that scene stand for "knowledge" — knowledge / discriminate. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 19
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19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 19 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
知識
chishiki
knowledge
常識
joushiki
common sense
認識
ninshiki
recognition
意識
ishiki
consciousness
意識する
ishikisuru
to do consciousness
意識した
ishikishita
plain past: did consciousness
Example sentences (5)
プログラミングの知識を増やしたいです。
ぷろぐらみんぐ の ちしき を ふやしたい です。
puroguramingu no chishiki o fuyashitai desu.
I want to increase my programming knowledge.
知識があっても、使わなければ忘れてしまいます。
ちしき が あって も、つかわなければ わすれて しまいます。
chishiki ga atte mo, tsukawanakereba wasurete shimaimasu.
Even if you have knowledge, you will forget it if you do not use it.
国によって常識は違います。
くに に よって じょうしき は ちがいます。
kuni ni yotte joushiki wa chigaimasu.
Common sense differs from country to country.
自分の国の常識が、日本でも通じるわけではありません。
じぶん の くに の じょうしき が、にほん で も つうじる わけ で は ありません。
jibun no kuni no joushiki ga, nihon de mo tsuujiru wake de wa arimasen.
What is common sense in your own country does not necessarily apply in Japan.
日本語の知識を仕事で活用したいです。
にほんご の ちしき を しごと で かつよう したい です。
nihongo no chishiki o shigoto de katsuyou shitai desu.
I want to make practical use of my Japanese knowledge at work.