How to Write 乞 (beg, invite, ask) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 3-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 乞 (“beg, invite, ask”), indexed under the 乙 (おつ (second)) radical. Practice 乞 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 乞う (こう (kou) — beg).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (乞)
Primary Radical (部首): 乙 — おつ (second)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 乙
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (コツ, キツ, キ, キケ, コチ) when 乞 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (こ.う) when 乞 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (3画): With only 3 strokes, 乞 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 3 strokes under radical 乙.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 乞
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 乞 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 乞 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 乞 ("beg, invite, ask") is written with 3 strokes (3画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) foundational low-stroke shape (1–5 strokes) indexed under the 乙 (おつ (second)) radical. With only 3 strokes, 乞 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 乞?
For 乞 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is コツ, キツ, キ, キケ, コチ and the Kunyomi is こ.う. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (コツ, キツ, キ, キケ, コチ) when 乞 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (こ.う) when 乞 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 乞 includes 乞う (こう (kou) — beg).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 乞 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 3 strokes of 乞 (beg, invite, ask), 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 乞 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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