employ
N2- Onyomi
- コ
- Kunyomi
- やと(う)
- Stroke count
- 12
- JLPT
- N2
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Break 雇 down and you get 戸 (door / household) — a single door on its hinge, and beside it 隹 (short-tailed bird) — a small bird perched with its wing folded. Picture a single door, put 雇 inside it, and let that scene stand for "employ" — employ. 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
雇用
koyou
employment
解雇
kaiko
dismissal
雇主
yatoinushi
employer
雇う
yatou
to employ
雇って
yatotte
employ — te-form
雇います
yatoimasu
employ — polite present
Example sentences (6)
この会社は外国人の雇用に積極的です。
この かいしゃ は がいこくじん の こよう に せっきょくてき です。
kono kaisha wa gaikokujin no koyou ni sekkyokuteki desu.
This company actively employs foreigners.
国籍を問わず、能力に応じて雇用しています。
こくせき を とわず、のうりょく に おうじて こよう しています。
kokuseki o towazu, nouryoku ni oujite koyou shiteimasu.
Regardless of nationality, we hire according to ability.
不況で多くの社員が解雇されました。
ふきょう で おおく の しゃいん が かいこ されました。
fukyou de ooku no shain ga kaiko saremashita.
Many employees were dismissed due to the recession.
日本では、簡単に社員を解雇できるわけではありません。
にほん で は、かんたん に しゃいん を かいこ できる わけ で は ありません。
nihon de wa, kantan ni shain o kaiko dekiru wake de wa arimasen.
In Japan, it is not the case that you can dismiss employees easily.
雇主と労働条件を確認しました。
やといぬし と ろうどう じょうけん を かくにん しました。
yatoinushi to roudou jouken o kakunin shimashita.
I confirmed the working conditions with my employer.
雇主には、安全な職場を用意する義務があります。
やといぬし に は、あんぜんな しょくば を ようい する ぎむ が あります。
yatoinushi ni wa, anzenna shokuba o youi suru gimu ga arimasu.
Employers have an obligation to provide a safe workplace.