首
neck / head
N4- Onyomi
- シュ
- Kunyomi
- くび
- Stroke count
- 9
- JLPT
- N4
Mnemonic
首 means "neck / head". Its on'yomi シュ and kun'yomi くび. To remember it, picture "neck" every time you see 首, and link that image to the reading so the shape, sound, and meaning stick together.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 9
- 1上から下へ書きます。Write from top to bottom.
- 2左から右へ書きます。Write from left to right.
- 3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.
- 4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.
- 5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.
- 6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
Stroke-order data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).
Practice Writing
Trace the faded character with your mouse or finger. Hide the outline to test yourself.
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
自首surrendering oneself首脳leader元首head of state自首するto do surrendering oneself自首したplain past: did surrendering oneself自首しますpolite: do surrendering oneself
Example sentences (3)
自首はとても大切です。
じしゅ は とても たいせつ です。
jishu wa totemo taisetsu desu.
The surrendering oneself is very important.
毎日首脳を使います。
まいにち しゅのう を つかいます。
mainichi shunou o tsukaimasu.
I use the leader every day.
元首の意味を調べました。
げんしゅ の いみ を しらべました。
genshu no imi o shirabemashita.
I looked up the meaning of "head of state".