black
N4- Onyomi
- コク
- Kunyomi
- くろ(い)
- Stroke count
- 11
- JLPT
- N4
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Break 黒 down and you get 里 (village / league) — fields with a road running through the settlement, and beside it 灬 (fire underneath) — four small flames licking up from below. Picture a rice field divided into four plots by its paths, put 黒 inside it, and let that scene stand for "black" — black. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 11
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11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 11 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
黒い
kuroi
black
黒字
kuroji
surplus
黒いです
kuroi desu
polite: is black
黒くないです
kurokunai desu
polite negative: is not black
黒かったです
kurokatta desu
polite past: was black
黒字の会議があります
kurojinokaigigaarimasu
there is a meeting about surplus
Example sentences (2)
黒いかばんを買いました。
くろい かばん を かいました。
kuroi kaban o kaimashita.
I bought a black bag.
あの黒い車は父のです。
あの くろい くるま は ちち の です。
ano kuroi kuruma wa chichi no desu.
That black car is my father's.