turn / fall
N4- Onyomi
- テン
- Kunyomi
- ころ(ぶ)
- Stroke count
- 11
- 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 転 down and you get 車 (vehicle / wheel) — a cart seen from above, axle through the middle, and beside it 云 (cloud / say) — wisps of cloud curling and layering in the sky. Picture a cart on its wheels, put 転 inside it, and let that scene stand for "turn" — turn / fall. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 11
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11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 11 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
転勤
tenkin
job transfer
運転
unten
driving
移転
iten
relocation
転載
tensai
reprinting
転換
tenkan
switch
転送
tensou
forwarding
Example sentences (3)
来月、大阪支社に転勤します。
らいげつ、おおさか ししゃ に てんきん します。
raigetsu, oosaka shisha ni tenkin shimasu.
I am transferring to the Osaka branch next month.
転勤するかもしれないので、まだ家を買いません。
てんきん する かも しれない ので、まだ いえ を かいません。
tenkin suru kamo shirenai node, mada ie o kaimasen.
I might be transferred, so I am not buying a house yet.
日本では左側を運転します。
にほん で は ひだりがわ を うんてん します。
nihon de wa hidarigawa o unten shimasu.
In Japan, you drive on the left side.