leather / reform
N2- Onyomi
- カク
- Kunyomi
- かわ
- Stroke count
- 9
- JLPT
- N2
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Picture clothing folded neatly into a stack: that is what 革 means — leather / reform. Now find the part that anchors it in the character itself, 廿 (twenty) — two tens fused side by side under a single bar. Drop that part into the picture and the shape stops being something separate to memorise.
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
改革
kaikaku
reform
沿革
enkaku
history
革新
kakushin
innovation
変革
henkaku
transformation
改革する
kaikakusuru
to do reform
革新する
kakushinsuru
to do innovation
Example sentences (3)
会社は働き方の改革を進めています。
かいしゃ は はたらきかた の かいかく を すすめています。
kaisha wa hatarakikata no kaikaku o susumeteimasu.
The company is pushing forward with workstyle reform.
制度の改革には時間がかかるものの、少しずつ効果が出ています。
せいど の かいかく に は じかん が かかる ものの、すこし ずつ こうか が でています。
seido no kaikaku ni wa jikan ga kakaru monono, sukoshi zutsu kouka ga deteimasu.
Reforming the system takes time, but the effects are showing little by little.
政府の方針に基づいて、働き方改革を推進しています。
せいふ の ほうしん に もとづいて、はたらきかた かいかく を すいしん しています。
seifu no houshin ni motozuite, hatarakikata kaikaku o suishin shiteimasu.
Based on the government's policy, we are driving forward workstyle reform.