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道Nihongo Path
筆

筆·writing brush

On-yomi
ヒツ
Kun-yomi
ふで

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
筆ふでwriting brush
鉛筆えんぴつpencil
筆者ひっしゃthe writer, author
万年筆まんねんひつfountain pen

Example sentences

  1. 習字の時間に筆を使う。

    しゅうじのじかんにふでをつかう。

    We use a brush in calligraphy class.

  2. 鉛筆で名前を書いてください。

    えんぴつでなまえをかいてください。

    Please write your name in pencil.

  3. 筆者はこの点を強く主張している。

    ひっしゃはこのてんをつよくしゅちょうしている。

    The author strongly asserts this point.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 筆者 as ふでしゃ — it is ひっしゃ
  • Reading 万年筆 as まんねんふで

Memory aid

Picture it

Bamboo (竹) above a hand gripping a stroke (聿) — a bamboo-handled brush in the writing hand.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 筆 mean?