How to Write 九 (nine) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 2-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N5 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 1 (小学1年生)) character 九 (“nine”), indexed under the 乙 (おつ (second)) radical. Practice 九 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 九 (きゅう / く — nine), 九つ (ここのつ (kokonotsu) — nine things), 九月 (くがつ (kugatsu) — September).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (九)
Primary Radical (部首): 乙 — おつ (second)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 乙
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 1 (小学1年生) (JLPT N5). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (キュウ, ク) when 九 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ここの-, ここの.つ) when 九 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (2画): With only 2 strokes, 九 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 乙 (おつ (second)) structure (Standalone / Integrated position) cleanly around the center intersection and finish terminal strokes with crisp tome (stop) or harai (sweep) release.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 乙 (おつ (second))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 2 strokes under radical 乙.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 九
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 九 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 九 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 九 ("nine") is written with 2 strokes (2画) as a JLPT N5 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 1 (小学1年生)) foundational low-stroke shape (1–5 strokes) indexed under the 乙 (おつ (second)) radical. With only 2 strokes, 九 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 乙 (おつ (second)) structure (Standalone / Integrated position) cleanly around the center intersection and finish terminal strokes with crisp tome (stop) or harai (sweep) release.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 九?
For 九 (JLPT N5), the Onyomi is キュウ, ク and the Kunyomi is ここの-, ここの.つ. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (キュウ, ク) when 九 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ここの-, ここの.つ) when 九 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 九 includes 九 (きゅう / く — nine), 九つ (ここのつ (kokonotsu) — nine things), 九月 (くがつ (kugatsu) — September).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 九 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 2 strokes of 九 (nine), start with the 乙 (おつ (second)) in the Standalone / Integrated (部首) position and follow standard Japanese Hitsujun (筆順) principles: top to bottom (上から下) and left to right (左から右). Practice 九 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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