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常

常 — usual, ordinary, normal

Learn the correct stroke order for 常 (usual), a 11-stroke kanji.

JLPT N3Grade 511 strokes

Stroke Order

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Stroke 0 / 11
On'yomi (音読み)ジョウjou
Kun'yomi (訓読み)つねtsune、とこ-toko
Strokes11
Radical巾
Frequency#293
Meaningsusual, ordinary, normal, common, regular, continually, always, long-lasting

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 11 — start from the green dot

Common Words

異常いじょうabnormal; unusual; extraordinaryna-adjective
恒常こうじょうconstancy; permanencenoun
常につねにalways; constantly; at all timesadverb
常軌じょうきnormal course (of action); proper course; regular waynoun
常時じょうじusually; ordinarily; alwaysnoun
常識じょうしきcommon sense; good sense; common knowledgenoun

Usage & Examples

Usage Notes

The kanji 常 (usual) is taught in grade 5 of Japanese elementary school and appears at JLPT N3 level. It has 11 strokes with radical 巾.

In newspaper frequency rankings, 常 is #293, making it one of the most commonly used kanji.

Example Words in Context

異常いじょう — abnormal; unusual; extraordinary
恒常こうじょう — constancy; permanence
常につねに — always; constantly; at all times

Practice Sheet

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

Related Kanji

Same radical (巾)

巾towel市market布linen帆sail希hope帝sovereign帥commander席seat

Same reading

定determine成turn into情feelings状status quo乗ride静quiet娘daughter

Frequently Asked Questions

How many strokes does 常 have?

The kanji 常 (usual) has 11 strokes. Watch the animation above to see the correct order.

What is the correct stroke order for 常?

常 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 常 mean?

常 means: usual, ordinary, normal, common, regular, continually, always, long-lasting. On'yomi readings: ジョウ. Kun'yomi readings: つね, とこ-.

What JLPT level is 常?

常 is a JLPT N3 kanji. This is an intermediate kanji.