wake up / occur
N4- Onyomi
- キ
- Kunyomi
- お(きる)
- Stroke count
- 10
- 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 起 down and you get 走 (run) — someone running along the road, and beside it 己 (self) — a shape curled back on itself. Picture legs springing up from a bed at the moment of waking, put 起 inside it, and let that scene stand for "wake up" — wake up / occur. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 10
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10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 10 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
起用
kiyou
appointment (to a role)
起動
kidou
startup
起訴
kiso
prosecution
隆起
ryuuki
upheaval
起きる
okiru
to wake up
起きて
okite
wake up — te-form
Example sentences (3)
私は毎朝六時に起きます。
わたし は まいあさ ろくじ に おきます。
watashi wa maiasa rokuji ni okimasu.
I get up at six every morning.
今日は遅く起きました。
きょう は おそく おきました。
kyou wa osoku okimashita.
I got up late today.
問題が起きたら、すぐに上司に報告してください。
もんだい が おきたら、すぐ に じょうし に ほうこく して ください。
mondai ga okitara, sugu ni joushi ni houkoku shite kudasai.
If a problem comes up, please report it to your boss right away.