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JapanLingo

building / hall

N4
Onyomi
Stroke count
16
JLPT
N4

Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.

Memory tip

A flat illustration of a boundary wall with a small roofed gateway standing open in the middle of it, with the kanji 館 ("building") drawn into the picture.

Picture a boundary wall with a small roofed gateway standing open in the middle of it: that is what 館 means — building / hall. Now find the part that anchors it in the character itself, 飠 (food / eat) — a bowl of food set at the left. 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.

  • •Write from top to bottom.
  • •Write from left to right.
  • •Write horizontal strokes before the vertical strokes that cross them.
  • •Draw an outer enclosure first, then fill in what is inside.
  • •In symmetric shapes, write the centre before the left and right sides.
  • •This kanji has 16 strokes — trace them in order in the practice area below.

Step by step

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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

toshokan

library

toshokan ni ikimasu

to go to the library

toshokan no chikaku desu

near the library

toshokan de hataraiteimasu

to work at the library

Example sentences (3)

toshokan de hon o karimashita.

I borrowed a book from the library.

toshokan wa nichiyoubi mo aiteimasu.

The library is open on Sundays too.

toshokan de hon o karimasu.

I borrow books at the library.