← Kanji module
N4 · 10 strokes · — · Irodori #85 · Starter L17
勉
diligent, encourage, endeavour, exertion, make effort, strive
Stroke diagrams © KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).
Readings
- On’yomi
- ベン
- Kun’yomi
- つと・める
Example words
勉
つと・める
diligent
勉
ベン
Typical reading practice — diligent
Memory aids
Guided learn session →How to remember
Shape
Avoid (免) + strength (力) — avoiding laziness through effort; to study hard.
Components
Remember "exertion, effort" (勉) by connecting it to its Irodori vocabulary context.
Anchor word
勉強します (べんきょうします) — your first meeting with this kanji in Irodori.
Readings
First learned in 勉強します (べんきょうします) — recall the word to unlock the reading. Kun'yomi: つと・める — often used in native Japanese words. On'yomi: ベン — common in compound words (熟語).