red
N4- Onyomi
- セキ
- Kunyomi
- あか(い)
- Stroke count
- 7
- JLPT
- N4
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Break 赤 down and you get 土 (earth / soil) — a mound of earth pushed up from flat ground. Picture a glowing ember on a dark cloth, put 赤 inside it, and let that scene stand for "red" — red. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 7
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7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 7 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
赤字
akaji
deficit
赤字の会議があります
akajinokaigigaarimasu
there is a meeting about deficit
赤字を担当しています
akajiotantoushiteimasu
to be in charge of deficit
赤字の資料を作ります
akajinoshiryouotsukurimasu
to make materials for deficit
赤字について報告します
akajinitsuitehoukokushimasu
to report on deficit
Example sentences (3)
赤ちゃんが夜中に泣きました。
あかちゃん が よなか に なきました。
akachan ga yonaka ni nakimashita.
The baby cried in the middle of the night.
赤いボタンを押してください。
あかい ぼたん を おして ください。
akai botan o oshite kudasai.
Please press the red button.
来月、友だちに赤ちゃんが生まれる予定です。
らいげつ、ともだち に あかちゃん が うまれる よてい です。
raigetsu, tomodachi ni akachan ga umareru yotei desu.
My friend's baby is due to be born next month.