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使

使 — use, send on a mission, order

Learn the correct stroke order for 使 (use), a 8-stroke kanji.

JLPT N4Grade 38 strokes

Stroke Order

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Stroke 0 / 8
On'yomi (音読み)シshi
Kun'yomi (訓読み)つか.うtsukau、つか.いtsukai、-つか.いtsukai、-づか.いzukai
Strokes8
Radical人
Frequency#219
Meaningsuse, send on a mission, order, messenger, envoy, ambassador, cause

Step-by-Step Diagram

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Try Writing It

Practice writing each stroke in the correct order and direction. Start from the green dot.

Draw stroke 1 of 8 — start from the green dot

Common Words

駆使くしusing freely; making full use of; having a good command ofnoun
公使こうしenvoy; diplomat below the rank of ambassador (e.g. deputy chief of mission, charge d'affaires); minister (of legation)noun
行使こうしuse; exercise (of one's right, authority, power, etc.)noun
酷使こくしexploitation; overuse; abusenoun
使いつかいerrand; mission; going on an errandnoun
使うつかうto use (a tool, method, etc.); to make use of; to put to useverb

Usage & Examples

Usage Notes

The kanji 使 (use) is taught in grade 3 of Japanese elementary school and appears at JLPT N4 level. It has 8 strokes with radical 人.

In newspaper frequency rankings, 使 is #219, making it one of the most commonly used kanji.

Example Words in Context

駆使くし — using freely; making full use of; having a good command of
公使こうし — envoy; diplomat below the rank of ambassador (e.g. deputy chief of mission, charge d'affaires); minister (of legation)
行使こうし — use; exercise (of one's right, authority, power, etc.)

Practice Sheet

Trace then write on your own. Print this row as a PDF practice sheet.

Related Kanji

Same radical (人)

人person今now介jammed in仏Buddha仁humanity代substitute以by means of付adhere

Same reading

自oneself思think死death私private始commence止stop試test仕attend

Frequently Asked Questions

How many strokes does 使 have?

The kanji 使 (use) has 8 strokes. Watch the animation above to see the correct order.

What is the correct stroke order for 使?

使 follows the standard Japanese stroke order as taught in schools. Use the step-by-step diagram or the "Try Writing" tool above to practice each stroke in sequence.

What does 使 mean?

使 means: use, send on a mission, order, messenger, envoy, ambassador, cause. On'yomi readings: シ. Kun'yomi readings: つか.う, つか.い, -つか.い, -づか.い.

What JLPT level is 使?

使 is a JLPT N4 kanji. This is a beginner-level kanji.