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約

約 — promise, approximately, shrink

Learn the correct stroke order for 約 (promise), a 9-stroke kanji.

JLPT N3Grade 49 strokes

Stroke Order

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Stroke 0 / 9
On'yomi (音読み)ヤクyaku
Kun'yomi (訓読み)つづ.まるtsuzumaru、つづ.めるtsuzumeru、つづま.やかtsuzumayaka
Strokes9
Radical糸
Frequency#94
Meaningspromise, approximately, shrink

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 9 — start from the green dot

Common Words

解約かいやくcancellation of a contractnoun
確約かくやくfirm promise; definite promisenoun
規約きやくagreement; rules; codenoun
旧約きゅうやくold promise; old agreement; old covenantnoun
契約けいやくcontract; compact; agreementnoun
倹約けんやくthrift; economy; frugalitynoun

Usage & Examples

Usage Notes

The kanji 約 (promise) is taught in grade 4 of Japanese elementary school and appears at JLPT N3 level. It has 9 strokes with radical 糸.

In newspaper frequency rankings, 約 is #94, making it one of the most commonly used kanji.

Example Words in Context

解約かいやく — cancellation of a contract
確約かくやく — firm promise; definite promise
規約きやく — agreement; rules; code

Practice Sheet

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

Related Kanji

Same radical (糸)

糸thread系lineage紀chronicle級class紅crimson糾twist紙paper素elementary

Same reading

役duty薬medicine

Frequently Asked Questions

How many strokes does 約 have?

The kanji 約 (promise) has 9 strokes. Watch the animation above to see the correct order.

What is the correct stroke order for 約?

約 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 約 mean?

約 means: promise, approximately, shrink. On'yomi readings: ヤク. Kun'yomi readings: つづ.まる, つづ.める, つづま.やか.

What JLPT level is 約?

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