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道Nihongo Path
徐

徐·slowly, gradually

On-yomi
ジョ
Kun-yomi
none

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

10 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
徐々にじょじょにgradually, little by little
徐行じょこうdriving slowly
徐行運転じょこううんてんslow driving
緩徐かんじょslow, gentle (music: adagio)

Example sentences

  1. 病気は徐々に良くなっている。

    びょうきはじょじょによくなっている。

    The illness is gradually getting better.

  2. 工事中なので徐行してください。

    こうじちゅうなのでじょこうしてください。

    Please drive slowly; there is roadwork ahead.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Writing 除々に for 徐々に — the 'gradually' word takes 徐
  • Reading 徐行 as じょぎょう — it is じょこう

Memory aid

Picture it

The step radical 彳 beside 余 (surplus, spare) — walking with time to spare, that is, slowly.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 徐 mean?