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道Nihongo Path
周

周·circumference, around, lap

On-yomi
シュウ
Kun-yomi
まわ(り)

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
周囲しゅういsurroundings, circumference
一周いっしゅうone lap, one round
周辺しゅうへんvicinity, outskirts
周りまわりthe area around something

Example sentences

  1. 毎朝、公園を一周走っています。

    まいあさ、こうえんをいっしゅうはしっています。

    Every morning I run one lap around the park.

  2. 駅の周辺には店がたくさんある。

    えきのしゅうへんにはみせがたくさんある。

    There are many shops in the area around the station.

  3. 周囲の人の意見も聞いたほうがいいですよ。

    しゅういのひとのいけんもきいたほうがいいですよ。

    You should listen to the opinions of the people around you too.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Writing 週囲 for 周囲 — the road radical belongs only to 週
  • Reading 一周 as *いちしゅう; it is いっしゅう

Memory aid

Picture it

A field of rice inside an enclosure with a mouth below — everything fenced in all the way around.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 周 mean?