照

照 — illuminate, shine, compare

Learn the correct stroke order for 照 (illuminate), a 13-stroke kanji.

JLPT N2Grade 413 strokes

Stroke Order

Stroke 0 / 13

On'yomi (音読み)ショウshou

Kun'yomi (訓読み)て.るteru、て.らすterasu、て.れるtereru

Strokes13

Radical火

Frequency#1004

Meaningsilluminate, shine, compare, bashful

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 13 — start from the green dot

Common Words

参照さんしょうreference (e.g. to a dictionary, passage, footnotes); consultation; comparisonnoun

照るてるto shineverb

照会しょうかいinquiry; query; enquirynoun

照射しょうしゃirradiation; radiation; beamingnoun

照準しょうじゅんsight (e.g. of a gun); aim; alignmentnoun

照明しょうめいillumination; lightingnoun

Usage & Examples

Usage Notes

The kanji 照 (illuminate) is taught in grade 4 of Japanese elementary school and appears at JLPT N2 level. It has 13 strokes with radical 火.

In newspaper frequency rankings, 照 is #1004, making it a moderately common kanji.

Example Words in Context

参照さんしょう — reference (e.g. to a dictionary, passage, footnotes); consultation; comparison

照るてる — to shine

照会しょうかい — inquiry; query; enquiry

Practice Sheet

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

Related Kanji

Same radical (火)

火fire 灯lamp 灰ashes 災disaster 炎inflammation 炉hearth 炊cook 点spot

Same reading

象elephant 賞prize 接touch 省government ministry 将leader 装attire 清pure 承acquiesce

Frequently Asked Questions

How many strokes does 照 have?

The kanji 照 (illuminate) has 13 strokes. Watch the animation above to see the correct order.

What is the correct stroke order for 照?

照 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 照 mean?

照 means: illuminate, shine, compare, bashful. On'yomi readings: ショウ. Kun'yomi readings: て.る, て.らす, て.れる.

What JLPT level is 照?

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