Explore 筆 through writing tools and written work. Learn each reading with its complete word.
The idea
筆 has 12 strokes. Follow the linked stroke-order diagram. 筆（ふで） is a writing brush; in compounds it is often ひつ, as in 鉛筆（えんぴつ） and 筆記（ひっき）.
| Word | Reading |
|---|---|
| 筆 | ふで |
| 鉛筆 | えんぴつ |
| 筆記 | ひっき |
| 毛筆 | もうひつ |
Examples
- 筆で字を書きます。I write characters with a brush.
- 新しい鉛筆を買いました。I bought a new pencil.
- 鉛筆で名前を書いてください。Please write your name in pencil.
- 講義の間に筆記をします。I take notes during the lecture.
- 筆記試験は明日です。The written exam is tomorrow.
- 彼女は筆で手紙を書きます。She writes letters with a brush.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No Japanese device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
A pencil is 鉛筆, not simply 筆. Notice the sound changes in えんぴつ and ひっき; do not assume every compound is pronounced ひつ.
Try it yourself
筆（＿＿）
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ふで
筆 alone is ふで: the sentence uses a brush to write characters.
鉛筆（＿＿）
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えんぴつ
鉛筆 is えんぴつ: the final sound of 筆 changes in this compound.
＿記（ひっき）［筆／算］
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筆
筆 completes 筆記（ひっき）, written notes; the small っ marks a doubled consonant.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
筆（＿＿）
鉛筆（＿＿）
＿記（ひっき）［筆／算］
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Write 筆 using the diagram, then cover the readings and say 筆 and 鉛筆 aloud. Make a sentence with one.