silver
N4- Onyomi
- ギン
- Stroke count
- 14
- 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 銀 down and you get 金 (metal / gold) — metal kept under a roof — something precious, and beside it 艮 (stubborn / firm) — a figure looking back over its shoulder, feet planted and refusing to move. Picture a bar of metal, put 銀 inside it, and let that scene stand for "silver" — silver. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 14
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14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 14 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
銀行
ginkou
bank
銀行に行きます
ginkou ni ikimasu
to go to the bank
銀行の近くです
ginkou no chikaku desu
near the bank
銀行で働いています
ginkou de hataraiteimasu
to work at the bank
Example sentences (3)
銀行でお金を下ろしました。
ぎんこう で おかね を おろしました。
ginkou de okane o oroshimashita.
I withdrew money at the bank.
銀行は三時に閉まります。
ぎんこう は さんじ に しまります。
ginkou wa sanji ni shimarimasu.
The bank closes at three.
父は銀行で働いています。
ちち は ぎんこう で はたらいています。
chichi wa ginkou de hataraiteimasu.
My father works at a bank.