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JapanLingo

light (weight)

N4
Onyomi
Kunyomi
Stroke count
12
JLPT
N4

Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.

Memory tip

A flat illustration of a cart tipped up by a feather resting on its axle, with the kanji 軽 ("light (weight)") drawn into the picture.

Break 軽 down and you get 車 (vehicle / wheel) — a cart seen from above, axle through the middle, and beside it 圣 (hand at work) — a hand reaching down to press into the earth below it. Picture a cart tipped up by a feather resting on its axle, put 軽 inside it, and let that scene stand for "light (weight)" — light (weight). The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

Stroke Order

Stroke count: 12

General writing tips

These general rules have exceptions. Follow the animation and numbered frames for this character.

  • •Write from top to bottom.
  • •Write from left to right.
  • •Write horizontal strokes before the vertical strokes that cross them.
  • •Draw an outer enclosure first, then fill in what is inside.
  • •In symmetric shapes, write the centre before the left and right sides.
  • •This kanji has 12 strokes — trace them in order in the practice area below.

Step by step

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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

keishi

disregard

keishisuru

to do disregard

keishishita

plain past: did disregard

keishishimasu

polite: do disregard

keishishinai

plain negative: does not do disregard

keishichuudesu

in the middle of disregard

Example sentences (1)

kono kaban wa karukute benri desu.

This bag is light and handy.