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JapanLingo

press / imminent

N1
Onyomi
Stroke count
13
JLPT
N1

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 crossroads with a person walking through it and a signboard at the corner, with the kanji 逼 ("press") drawn into the picture.

Break 逼 down and you get 辶 (road / movement) — a road sweeping under the character. Picture a crossroads with a person walking through it and a signboard at the corner, put 逼 inside it, and let that scene stand for "press" — press / imminent. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

Stroke Order

Stroke count: 13

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 13 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

hippaku

tightness

hippakusuru

to do tightness

hippakushita

plain past: did tightness

hippakushimasu

polite: do tightness

hippakushinai

plain negative: does not do tightness

hippakuchuudesu

in the middle of tightness

Example sentences (2)

byouin no taisei ga hippaku shiteimasu.

The hospital system is under severe strain.

jin'in ga hippaku shiteiru joukyou de wa, atarashii anken o ukeraremasen.

With staffing this stretched, we cannot take on new work.