floor / stairs
N3- Onyomi
- カイ
- Stroke count
- 12
- JLPT
- N3
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Break 階 down and you get ⻖ (hill / mound) — a terraced hill climbing at the left. Picture a terraced hillside, put 階 inside it, and let that scene stand for "floor" — floor / stairs. 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.
- •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12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 12 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
段階
dankai
stage
段階の会議があります
dankainokaigigaarimasu
there is a meeting about stage
段階を担当しています
dankaiotantoushiteimasu
to be in charge of stage
段階の資料を作ります
dankainoshiryouotsukurimasu
to make materials for stage
段階について報告します
dankainitsuitehoukokushimasu
to report on stage
Example sentences (5)
設計の段階で相談しておけば、あとで困りません。
せっけい の だんかい で そうだん して おけば、あと で こまりません。
sekkei no dankai de soudan shite okeba, ato de komarimasen.
If you consult at the design stage, you will not have trouble later.
会議室が変わったので、三階に移動してください。
かいぎしつ が かわった ので、さんがい に いどう して ください。
kaigishitsu ga kawatta node, sangai ni idou shite kudasai.
The meeting room has changed, so please move to the third floor.
事務所は五階にあります。
じむしょ は ごかい に あります。
jimusho wa gokai ni arimasu.
The office is on the fifth floor.
靴売り場は三階です。
くつ うりば は さんがい です。
kutsu uriba wa sangai desu.
The shoe department is on the third floor.
私の部屋は二階にあります。
わたし の へや は にかい に あります。
watashi no heya wa nikai ni arimasu.
My room is on the second floor.