How to Write 代 (substitute, change, convert, replace, period) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 5-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) character 代 (“substitute, change, convert, replace, period”), indexed under the 人 (ひと / にんべん (person)) radical. Practice 代 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 代わる (かわる (kawaru) — substitute), 代る (かわる (kawaru) — substitute).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (代)
Primary Radical (部首): 人 — ひと / にんべん (person)
Radical Position: Left (Hen / 偏) (偏 (Hen))
Semantic Theme: Humans, people, relationships, and human behavior
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生) (JLPT N4). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ダイ, タイ) when 代 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (か.わる, かわ.る, かわ.り, か.わり, -がわ.り, -が.わり, か.える, よ, しろ) when 代 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (5画): With only 5 strokes, 代 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 人 (ひと / にんべん (person)) structure (Left (Hen / 偏) 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: 人 (ひと / にんべん (person))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 5 strokes under radical 人.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 代
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 代 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 代 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 代 ("substitute, change, convert, replace, period") is written with 5 strokes (5画) as a JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) foundational low-stroke shape (1–5 strokes) indexed under the 人 (ひと / にんべん (person)) radical. With only 5 strokes, 代 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 人 (ひと / にんべん (person)) structure (Left (Hen / 偏) 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 代?
For 代 (JLPT N4), the Onyomi is ダイ, タイ and the Kunyomi is か.わる, かわ.る, かわ.り, か.わり, -がわ.り, -が.わり, か.える, よ, しろ. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ダイ, タイ) when 代 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (か.わる, かわ.る, かわ.り, か.わり, -がわ.り, -が.わり, か.える, よ, しろ) when 代 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 代 includes 代わる (かわる (kawaru) — substitute), 代る (かわる (kawaru) — substitute).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 代 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 5 strokes of 代 (substitute, change, convert, replace, period), start with the 人 (ひと / にんべん (person)) in the Left (Hen / 偏) (偏 (Hen)) 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 代 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N4 Characters to Practice Next
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