gallop / drive
N1- Onyomi
- ク
- Kunyomi
- か(ける)
- Stroke count
- 14
- JLPT
- N1
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Break 駆 down and you get 馬 (horse) — a horse with its mane and four legs, and beside it 区 (district / divide) — a box with a cross cut through the middle, splitting it into sections. Picture a horse standing in profile, put 駆 inside it, and let that scene stand for "gallop" — gallop / drive. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 14
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14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 14 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
駆動
kudou
drive (mechanical)
駆け引き
kakehiki
bargaining
先駆け
sakigake
pioneer
駆動した
kudoushita
plain past: did drive (mechanical)
駆動する
kudousuru
to do drive (mechanical)
駆動しない
kudoushinai
plain negative: does not do drive (mechanical)
Example sentences (6)
このモーターが機械全体を駆動します。
この もーたー が きかい ぜんたい を くどう します。
kono mootaa ga kikai zentai o kudou shimasu.
This motor drives the whole machine.
この装置は電池で駆動するため、停電のときでも使用できます。
この そうち は でんち で くどう する ため、ていでん の とき で も しよう できます。
kono souchi wa denchi de kudou suru tame, teiden no toki de mo shiyou dekimasu.
Because this device is battery-driven, it can be used even during a power failure.
交渉には駆け引きが必要です。
こうしょう に は かけひき が ひつよう です。
koushou ni wa kakehiki ga hitsuyou desu.
Negotiation requires tactics.
駆け引きに頼るより、条件を正直に伝えたほうが早いです。
かけひき に たよる より、じょうけん を しょうじき に つたえた ほう が はやい です。
kakehiki ni tayoru yori, jouken o shoujiki ni tsutaeta hou ga hayai desu.
Rather than relying on bargaining tactics, stating your terms honestly is quicker.
同社はAI導入の先駆けでした。
どうしゃ は AI どうにゅう の さきがけ でした。
dousha wa AI dounyuu no sakigake deshita.
The company was a pioneer in adopting AI.
業界の先駆けとなった企業ほど、後発への対応が課題になります。
ぎょうかい の さきがけ と なった きぎょう ほど、こうはつ へ の たいおう が かだい に なります。
gyoukai no sakigake to natta kigyou hodo, kouhatsu e no taiou ga kadai ni narimasu.
The more a company pioneered its field, the more answering later entrants becomes its challenge.