Recognize 回 in 回る and 一回. Connect each word’s reading with its meaning in context.

The idea

回 has 6 strokes; follow the linked KanjiVG diagram for their order. Read 回る（まわる） and 一回（いっかい） as whole words: a kanji’s reading depends on the word.

Patterns to compare
Japanese wordReadingExample in context
回るまわるThe windmill is turning slowly.
一回いっかいI swim once a week.
今回こんかいThis time I’ll go by train.

Examples

  • 風車ふうしゃがゆっくり回まわっています。The windmill is turning slowly.
  • 右みぎに回まわってください。Please turn to the right.
  • 週しゅうに一回いっかい、泳およぎます。I swim once a week.
  • もう一回いっかいだけ練習れんしゅうします。I’ll practise just one more time.
  • 今回こんかいは電車でんしゃで行いきます。This time I’ll go by train.
  • 今回こんかいの会議かいぎは短みじかいです。This meeting is short.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

一回 is いっかい, with a small っ; 回る means to turn or go round. Do not assume that every word containing 回 has the same meaning or reading. Compare 回 with 口; pay attention to 囗／口 when distinguishing their shapes.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 回る in hiragana.

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    まわる

    回る is read まわる. In context: The windmill is turning slowly.

  2. Write the reading of 一回 in hiragana.

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    いっかい

    一回 is read いっかい. In context: I swim once a week.

  3. Write the missing kanji: 今＿（こんかい）［回／口］.

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    回

    回 completes 今回, read こんかい. In context: This time I’ll go by train.

Use it today

Cover the table, write 回 from memory and read 回る and 一回 aloud. Check your readings against the examples.