face / surface
N3- Onyomi
- メン
- Kunyomi
- おもて・つら
- Stroke count
- 9
- JLPT
- N3
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
面 is the picture: a face framed by its own outline, seen straight on. Set it against a flat mask with two eye holes, held up facing straight ahead and the shape carries its meaning, "face / surface", with it.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 9
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9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 9 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
面接
mensetsu
interview
面倒
mendou
troublesome
画面
gamen
screen
場面
bamen
scene
局面
kyokumen
phase
面倒な
mendouna
attributive: troublesome (before a noun)
Example sentences (5)
金曜日に二次面接があります。
きんようび に にじ めんせつ が あります。
kin'youbi ni niji mensetsu ga arimasu.
I have a second interview on Friday.
面接の前に、会社について調べておきました。
めんせつ の まえ に、かいしゃ について しらべて おきました。
mensetsu no mae ni, kaisha nitsuite shirabete okimashita.
Before the interview, I looked into the company in advance.
住所変更の手続きは少し面倒です。
じゅうしょ へんこう の てつづき は すこし めんどう です。
juusho henkou no tetsuzuki wa sukoshi mendou desu.
The address-change procedure is a little troublesome.
面倒でも、先に書類を確認しておいたほうがいいです。
めんどう で も、さき に しょるい を かくにん して おいた ほう が いい です。
mendou de mo, saki ni shorui o kakunin shite oita hou ga ii desu.
Even if it is troublesome, it is better to check the documents first.
画面が急に暗くなりました。
がめん が きゅう に くらく なりました。
gamen ga kyuu ni kuraku narimashita.
The screen suddenly went dark.