歴 means “history, record, background”

れき · reki

Also: curriculum, continuation, passage of time

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

レキ, レッキ

JLPT N2 · Taught in grade 5 · 14 strokes

The story

Footsteps (止) passing grove after grove (林) under a cliff (厂): picture a long trail of steps left behind. Paired with 史 it makes 歴史, history, and Japanese job hunters fill in a 履歴書, a résumé form sold at any convenience store.

Used in 歴史 (rekishi, history), 履歴書 (rirekisho, résumé), and 学歴 (gakureki, educational background)

More from Lessons & Skills

• 講 lecture
• 卒 graduate
• 略 abbreviate
• 練 practice
• 績 achievement
• 簡 simple
• 訓 instruction
• 準 standard
• 技 skill
• 課 lesson
• 専 specialty
• 史 history

Learn 歴 and more kanji free on Fuji Learning · All kanji

Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.