How to Write 像 (statue, picture, image, figure, portrait) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 14-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 5 (小学5年生)) character 像 (“statue, picture, image, figure, portrait”), indexed under the 人 (ひと / にんべん (person)) radical. Practice 像 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 像 (ゾウ / ぞう (zou) — statue).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (像)
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 N2). 像 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ゾウ) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (14画): At 14 strokes, 像 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 人 (ひと / にんべん (person)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 14 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 人 (ひと / にんべん (person))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 14 strokes under radical 人.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 像
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 像 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 像 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 像 ("statue, picture, image, figure, portrait") is written with 14 strokes (14画) as a JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 5 (小学5年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 人 (ひと / にんべん (person)) radical. At 14 strokes, 像 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 人 (ひと / にんべん (person)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 14 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 像?
For 像 (JLPT N2), the Onyomi is ゾウ and the Kunyomi is —. 像 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ゾウ) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 像 includes 像 (ゾウ / ぞう (zou) — statue).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 像 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 14 strokes of 像 (statue, picture, image, figure, portrait), 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 像 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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