How to Write 体 (body, substance, object, reality, counter for images) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 7-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) character 体 (“body, substance, object, reality, counter for images”), indexed under the 人 (ひと / にんべん (person)) radical. Practice 体 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 体 (からだ (karada) — body), 体 (かたち (katachi) — body).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (体)
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 2 (小学2年生) (JLPT N4). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (タイ, テイ) when 体 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (からだ, かたち) when 体 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (7画): Written with 7 strokes, 体 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)
人 (meaning) + 人 (sound ジン)
Derived from the meaning radical 人 (ひと / にんべん (person)) and the phonetic component 人, giving the on-reading ジン / ニン.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 体
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 体 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 体 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 体 ("body, substance, object, reality, counter for images") is written with 7 strokes (7画) as a JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2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, 体 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 体?
For 体 (JLPT N4), the Onyomi is タイ, テイ and the Kunyomi is からだ, かたち. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (タイ, テイ) when 体 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (からだ, かたち) when 体 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 体 includes 体 (からだ (karada) — body), 体 (かたち (katachi) — body).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 体 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 7 strokes of 体 (body, substance, object, reality, counter for images), 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 体 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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