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減

減 — dwindle, decrease, reduce

Learn the correct stroke order for 減 (dwindle), a 12-stroke kanji.

JLPT N2Grade 512 strokes

Stroke Order

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Stroke 0 / 12
On'yomi (音読み)ゲンgen
Kun'yomi (訓読み)へ.るheru、へ.らすherasu
Strokes12
Radical水
Frequency#261
Meaningsdwindle, decrease, reduce, decline, curtail, get hungry

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 12 — start from the green dot

Common Words

加減かげんdegree; extent; amountnoun
軽減けいげんabatement; reductionnoun
激減げきげんdramatic decrease; sharp drop; sudden fallnoun
減るへるto decrease (in size or number); to diminish; to abateverb
減額げんがくreduction (esp. in price or cost); diminution; abatementnoun
減産げんさんdecrease in productionnoun

Usage & Examples

Usage Notes

The kanji 減 (dwindle) is taught in grade 5 of Japanese elementary school and appears at JLPT N2 level. It has 12 strokes with radical 水.

In newspaper frequency rankings, 減 is #261, making it one of the most commonly used kanji.

Example Words in Context

加減かげん — degree; extent; amount
軽減けいげん — abatement; reduction
激減げきげん — dramatic decrease; sharp drop; sudden fall

Practice Sheet

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

Related Kanji

Same radical (水)

水water永eternity氷icicle汁soup氾spread out江creek池pond汚dirty

Frequently Asked Questions

How many strokes does 減 have?

The kanji 減 (dwindle) has 12 strokes. Watch the animation above to see the correct order.

What is the correct stroke order for 減?

減 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 減 mean?

減 means: dwindle, decrease, reduce, decline, curtail, get hungry. On'yomi readings: ゲン. Kun'yomi readings: へ.る, へ.らす.

What JLPT level is 減?

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