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欠

欠 — lack, gap, fail

Learn the correct stroke order for 欠 (lack), a 4-stroke kanji.

JLPT N3Grade 44 strokes

Stroke Order

1234
Stroke 0 / 4
On'yomi (音読み)ケツketsu、ケンken
Kun'yomi (訓読み)か.けるkakeru、か.くkaku
Strokes4
Radical欠
Frequency#860
Meaningslack, gap, fail, yawning radical (no. 76)

Step-by-Step Diagram

1
2
3
4

Try Writing It

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

Draw stroke 1 of 4 — start from the green dot

Common Words

欠くかくto chip; to nick; to breakverb
欠員けついんvacant position; vacancy; openingnoun
欠陥けっかんdefect; fault; flawnoun
欠伸あくびyawn; yawningnoun
欠席けっせきabsence; non-attendancenoun
欠損けっそんdeficit; shortage; lossnoun

Usage & Examples

Usage Notes

The kanji 欠 (lack) is taught in grade 4 of Japanese elementary school and appears at JLPT N3 level. It has 4 strokes with radical 欠.

In newspaper frequency rankings, 欠 is #860, making it a frequently used kanji.

Example Words in Context

欠くかく — to chip; to nick; to break
欠員けついん — vacant position; vacancy; opening
欠陥けっかん — defect; fault; flaw

Practice Sheet

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

Related Kanji

Same radical (欠)

次next欧Europe欲longing欺deceit款goodwill歌song歓delight

Same reading

決decide権authority件affair険precipitous

Frequently Asked Questions

How many strokes does 欠 have?

The kanji 欠 (lack) has 4 strokes. Watch the animation above to see the correct order.

What is the correct stroke order for 欠?

欠 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 欠 mean?

欠 means: lack, gap, fail, yawning radical (no. 76). On'yomi readings: ケツ, ケン. Kun'yomi readings: か.ける, か.く.

What JLPT level is 欠?

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