refine / train
N1- Onyomi
- レン
- Stroke count
- 16
- JLPT
- N1
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Picture a cart on its wheels: that is what 錬 means — refine / train. Now find the part that anchors it in the character itself, 金 (metal / gold) — metal kept under a roof — something precious, and beside it 東 (east) — the sun caught behind the branches of a tree. Drop that part into the picture and the shape stops being something separate to memorise.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 16
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16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 16 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
製錬
seiren
smelting
鍛錬
tanren
training
錬磨
renma
polishing (skills)
製錬する
seirensuru
to do smelting
鍛錬する
tanrensuru
to do training
錬磨する
renmasuru
to do polishing (skills)
Example sentences (6)
鉱石を製錬して金属を取り出します。
こうせき を せいれん して きんぞく を とりだします。
kouseki o seiren shite kinzoku o toridashimasu.
Metal is extracted by smelting ore.
製錬には大量の電力を使うため、環境への配慮が欠かせません。
せいれん に は たいりょう の でんりょく を つかう ため、かんきょう へ の はいりょ が かかせません。
seiren ni wa tairyou no denryoku o tsukau tame, kankyou e no hairyo ga kakasemasen.
Because smelting uses vast amounts of electricity, care for the environment is essential.
毎日の鍛錬が実を結びました。
まいにち の たんれん が み を むすびました。
mainichi no tanren ga mi o musubimashita.
Daily training bore fruit.
日々の鍛錬なくして、本番で力を出すことはできません。
ひび の たんれん なくして、ほんばん で ちから を だす こと は できません。
hibi no tanren nakushite, honban de chikara o dasu koto wa dekimasen.
Without daily training, you cannot perform when it really counts.
技を錬磨して一流になりました。
わざ を れんま して いちりゅう に なりました。
waza o renma shite ichiryuu ni narimashita.
He polished his skills and became first-rate.
長年にわたる錬磨の末に、彼は独自の技法を確立しました。
ながねん に わたる れんま の すえ に、かれ は どくじ の ぎほう を かくりつ しました。
naganen ni wataru renma no sue ni, kare wa dokuji no gihou o kakuritsu shimashita.
After years of honing his craft, he established a technique of his own.