走: the kanji for run
走 is a JLPT N4 kanji that means run. Below are its readings, 7 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
走 is written in 7 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
走 has 2 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 6 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
ソウ (sou)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 競走きょうそう · kyōsō | race |
| 走行そうこう · sōkō | driving; running (of a vehicle) |
| 滑走路かっそうろ · kassōro | runway |
| 完走かんそう · kansō | finishing (a race) |
はしる (hashiru)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 走るはしる · hashiru | to run |
| 小走りこばしり · kobashiri | trotting |
Special readings to learn as whole words
These words use 走, but their readings do not follow the readings above. The Jōyō Kanji Table lists them as special readings. Learn each one as a whole word.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 師走しわす · shiwasu | December (traditional name) |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 毎朝、公園を走っています。Maiasa, kōen o hashitte imasu.I run in the park every morning.
- マラソンを完走しました。Marason o kansō shimashita.I finished the marathon.
- 電車に間に合うように走りました。Densha ni maniau yō ni hashirimashita.I ran to catch the train.
- この道は車がたくさん走っています。Kono michi wa kuruma ga takusan hashitte imasu.A lot of cars drive on this road.
- 師走は一年で一番忙しい月です。Shiwasu wa ichinen de ichiban isogashii tsuki desu.December is the busiest month of the year.
- 廊下を走らないでください。Rōka o hashiranaide kudasai.Please don't run in the hallway.
Questions about 走
How many strokes does 走 have?
走 is written in 7 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 走?
The on readings are sou (ソウ). The kun readings are hashiru (はしる).
What does 師走 mean?
師走 (shiwasu) is an old name for December. It is often explained as "even teachers run," because the end of the year is so busy. You will see it in greetings and business emails in December.
What JLPT level is 走?
N4. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N4 is designed to match the former Level 3.
More JLPT N4 kanji
Movement and actions
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 走
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.