How to Write 令 (orders, laws, command, decree, good) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 5-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) character 令 (“orders, laws, command, decree, good”), indexed under the 人 (ひと / にんべん (person)) radical. Practice 令 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 令 (レイ / れい (rei) — orders).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (令)
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 4 (小学4年生) (JLPT N2). 令 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (レイ) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (5画): With only 5 strokes, 令 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 令
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 令 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 令 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 令 ("orders, laws, command, decree, good") is written with 5 strokes (5画) as a JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4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, 令 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 令?
For 令 (JLPT N2), the Onyomi is レイ and the Kunyomi is —. 令 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (レイ) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 令 includes 令 (レイ / れい (rei) — orders).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 令 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 5 strokes of 令 (orders, laws, command, decree, good), 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 令 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N2 Characters to Practice Next
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