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Basic strokes
Step 1 of 3 — the building blocks of every kanji
Every kanji is a combination of these fundamental strokes. Watch the red line to see the direction each one is drawn.
Dot
点 (てん)short, top → bottom-right
A small tick. Press lightly and flick down to the right.
Horizontal
横画 (よこ)left → right
A straight line drawn from left to right, ending firmly.
Vertical
縦画 (たて)top → bottom
A straight line drawn downward from top to bottom.
Left sweep
左払い (はらい)top-right → bottom-left
A curving sweep that tapers off toward the lower left.
Right sweep
右払い (はらい)top-left → bottom-right
A broadening sweep pressing down toward the lower right.
Hook
はねdown, then flick
A vertical stroke that flicks back up at the very end.
Bend
折れ (おれ)right, then turn down
One continuous stroke: across to the right, then sharply down.
Rising
提 (はねあげ)bottom-left → top-right
A short upward flick rising to the right.