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道Nihongo Path
歴

歴·history, career, record of the past

On-yomi
レキ
Kun-yomi
none

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
歴史れきしhistory
履歴書りれきしょrésumé, CV
経歴けいれきcareer history, background
学歴がくれきeducational background

Example sentences

  1. 日本の歴史に興味があります。

    にほんのれきしにきょうみがあります。

    I'm interested in Japanese history.

  2. 面接の前に履歴書を送ってください。

    めんせつのまえにりれきしょをおくってください。

    Please send your résumé before the interview.

  3. 彼の経歴はとてもめずらしい。

    かれのけいれきはとてもめずらしい。

    His career background is very unusual.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Writing 暦史 for 歴史 — 暦 is a calendar
  • Treating 歴 as a standalone word; it appears only in compounds

Memory aid

Picture it

Rows of trees under a cliff with 止 (footstep) below — the steps already walked, laid out in order.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 歴 mean?