走

JLPT N4

Run

Readings

On’yomi: ソウ (sou)

Kun’yomi: はし(る) (hashi(ru))

• はし（る）– to run, to dash, to move quickly

Structure

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Detailed Explanation

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Mnemonic

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Etymology

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Visual Tip

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Vocabulary

走る

はしる

run

競走

きょうそう

race

暴走

ぼうそう

reckless driving

走行

そうこう

traveling

逃走

とうそう

escape

Example Sentences

毎朝走ります。

まいあさはしります。

I run every morning.

競走に出ます。

きょうそうにでます。

I enter a race.

車が暴走しました。

くるまがぼうそうしました。

The car ran out of control.

高速で走行します。

こうそくでそうこうします。

It travels at high speed.

犯人が逃走しました。

はんにんがとうそうしました。

The criminal escaped.

Cultural Note

🏃 In Japanese culture, 走 embodies effort, perseverance, and forward movement, qualities deeply admired in daily life and work ethics.
• Expressions like 走り続ける (“to keep running”) are metaphors for persistence in one’s goals.
• Marathon running and relay races (駅伝 / えきでん) are national favorites, symbolizing teamwork and endurance.
• The kanji also appears in idioms like 一所懸命に走る (“to run with all your might”) — reflecting Japan’s spirit of doing one’s best.