JLPT N1 · 7 strokes
Kanji 励: "encourage, be diligent, inspire"
The kanji 励 means "encourage, be diligent, inspire". It is written with 7 strokes and belongs to JLPT level N1, read レイ in on'yomi and はげ.む, はげ.ます in kun'yomi.
Stroke order
Strokes are written in the order of the numbers. The order is not decorative: it is what gives the character its balance, and it is also how handwriting search works in Japanese dictionaries.
Readings
On'yomi (Sino-Japanese reading)
レイ
Kun'yomi (native Japanese reading)
はげ.むはげ.ます
In a kun'yomi reading, the dot separates the kanji from its okurigana: かた.る is read かたる and written 語る. A hyphen marks a bound position, like -び in 日.
At a glance
| Meaning | encourage, be diligent, inspire |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 7 |
| JLPT level | N1 |
| Taught in Japan | secondary school |
| Frequency rank | 1254 of 2,501 |
Common words with 励
The most frequent words using this kanji, most common first, with furigana readings. Click one to open it in the reader.
- 励ますto encourage; to cheer on; to cheer (someone) up · to raise (one's voice)
- 励むto work hard; to try hard; to strive; to endeavour
- 激励encouragement; spurring (on); cheering (on)
- 励ましencouragement; cheering on
- 奨励encouragement; promotion; inducement; incitement
- 励みencouragement; incentive; stimulus
- 励起excitation · stimulation; revitalization; reinvigoration
- 叱咤激励giving a loud pep talk; encouraging (someone) strongly in a loud voice
- 勉強に励むto work hard at one's lessons
- 精励diligence; industry; assiduity; hard work
- 声を励ますto raise one's voice
- 奨励金subsidy; incentive; bounty
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