How to Write 似 (becoming, resemble, counterfeit, imitate, suitable) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 7-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 5 (小学5年生)) character 似 (“becoming, resemble, counterfeit, imitate, suitable”), indexed under the 人 (ひと / にんべん (person)) radical. Practice 似 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 似る (にる (niru) — becoming), 似る (ひる (hiru) — becoming).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (似)
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 5 (小学5年生) (JLPT N3). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ジ) when 似 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (に.る, ひ.る) when 似 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (7画): Written with 7 strokes, 似 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 人 (ひと / にんべん (person)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position). Establish the 人 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 5 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 人 (ひと / にんべん (person))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 7 strokes under radical 人.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 似
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 似 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 似 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 似 ("becoming, resemble, counterfeit, imitate, suitable") is written with 7 strokes (7画) as a JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 5 (小学5年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 人 (ひと / にんべん (person)) radical. Written with 7 strokes, 似 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 人 (ひと / にんべん (person)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position). Establish the 人 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 5 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 似?
For 似 (JLPT N3), the Onyomi is ジ and the Kunyomi is に.る, ひ.る. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ジ) when 似 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (に.る, ひ.る) when 似 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 似 includes 似る (にる (niru) — becoming), 似る (ひる (hiru) — becoming).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 似 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 7 strokes of 似 (becoming, resemble, counterfeit, imitate, suitable), 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 似 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N3 Characters to Practice Next
View Full JLPT N3 Kanji List →Unlock All 2,000+ JLPT N5–N1 Kanji, AI Sensei & Unlimited Genkō Yōshi PDF Books
Get lifetime access to all 2,136 Jōyō Kanji (JLPT N5–N1), AI Kanji Sensei mnemonics, and unlimited Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheets for a one-time payment of $17.99 USD (10% OFF the $19.99 Lifetime Pro Pass with promo code KANJI10). Zero monthly subscriptions!