Learn Japanese while reading Manga with our new Manga Reader Tool!

Nihongo

Classroom

What is the Kanji for 'Slowly' and 'Gradually'? | 徐

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Slowly' and 'Gradually', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Slowly' and 'Gradually' is 徐.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Slowly, Gradually

    Reading

    kunyomiおもむ

    omomu

    onyomiじょ

    jo

    Parts

    Stop Excess

    Example Word

    徐行: slow driving. The Japanese verbal noun '徐行 (じょこう)' refers to the act of driving slowly or proceeding at a reduced speed. It is commonly used in contexts related to traffic regulations, such as when drivers are required to slow down in specific areas like school zones or residential neighborhoods. For example: Drive slowly in the school zone「学校の近くで徐行してください」(がっこうのちかくでじょこうしてください). The car is moving slowly「車が徐行している」(くるまがじょこうしている). This term emphasizes the deliberate reduction of speed for safety or compliance purposes.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    10

    JLPT

    N1

    Grade

    8

    Frequency

    1645

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    radical

    Meaning

    Stop

    kanji

    Meaning

    Excess

Words Using

This kanji is used in 2 words:

    word

    徐々

    Meaning

    Gradually

    word

    徐行

    Meaning

    Slow driving

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 19 kanji contain the part 彳 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    After, Behind

    kanji

    Meaning

    Go

    kanji

    Meaning

    Wait

    kanji

    Meaning

    Duty

    kanji

    Meaning

    Follower, Junior

    kanji

    Meaning

    Law, Rhythm

    kanji

    Meaning

    Follow, Obey

    kanji

    Meaning

    Journey, Go on

    kanji

    Meaning

    Restore

    kanji

    Meaning

    Acquire

    kanji

    Meaning

    Virtue

    kanji

    Meaning

    Honorable, General honorific term

    kanji

    Meaning

    Third person pronoun, He

    kanji

    Meaning

    Levy, Symptom

    kanji

    Meaning

    Slight, Delicate

    kanji

    Meaning

    Penetrate, Go through

    kanji

    Meaning

    Path, Diameter

    kanji

    Meaning

    Subjugate

    kanji

    Meaning

    Circulate, Sequential

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 4 kanji contain the part 余 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Exclude, Remove

    kanji

    Meaning

    Way, Route

    kanji

    Meaning

    Slanting, Diagonal

    kanji

    Meaning

    Describe, Confer

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 徐 mean?

徐 means 'Slowly' and 'Gradually'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Junior Highschool, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N1 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.