改

改 — reformation, change, modify

Learn the correct stroke order for 改 (reformation), a 7-stroke kanji.

JLPT N2Grade 47 strokes

Stroke Order

Stroke 0 / 7

On'yomi (音読み)カイkai

Kun'yomi (訓読み)あらた.めるaratameru、あらた.まるaratamaru

Strokes7

Radical攴

Frequency#147

Meaningsreformation, change, modify, mend, renew, examine, inspect, search

Step-by-Step Diagram

Try Writing It

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

Draw stroke 1 of 7 — start from the green dot

Common Words

改革かいかくreform; reformation; reorganizationnoun

改憲かいけんconstitutional change; revising the constitutionnoun

改札かいさつexamination of ticketsnoun

改宗かいしゅうreligious conversionnoun

改修かいしゅうrepair; improvementnoun

改新かいしんreformationnoun

Usage & Examples

Usage Notes

The kanji 改 (reformation) is taught in grade 4 of Japanese elementary school and appears at JLPT N2 level. It has 7 strokes with radical 攴.

In newspaper frequency rankings, 改 is #147, making it one of the most commonly used kanji.

Example Words in Context

改革かいかく — reform; reformation; reorganization

改憲かいけん — constitutional change; revising the constitution

改札かいさつ — examination of tickets

Practice Sheet

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

Related Kanji

Same radical (攴)

攻aggression 放set free 政politics 故happenstance 敏cleverness 教teach 敗failure 救salvation

Same reading

階storey 介jammed in 届deliver 快cheerful 械contraption 灰ashes

Frequently Asked Questions

How many strokes does 改 have?

The kanji 改 (reformation) has 7 strokes. Watch the animation above to see the correct order.

What is the correct stroke order for 改?

改 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 改 mean?

改 means: reformation, change, modify, mend, renew, examine, inspect, search. On'yomi readings: カイ. Kun'yomi readings: あらた.める, あらた.まる.

What JLPT level is 改?

改 is a JLPT N2 kanji. This is an advanced kanji.