How to Write 光 (ray, light) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 6-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) character 光 (“ray, light”), indexed under the 儿 (ひとあし (legs)) radical. Practice 光 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 光る (ひかる (hikaru) — ray), 光 (ひかり (hikari) — ray).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (光)
Primary Radical (部首): 儿 — ひとあし (legs)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 儿
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生) (JLPT N3). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (コウ) when 光 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ひか.る, ひかり) when 光 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (6画): Written with 6 strokes, 光 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 儿 (ひとあし (legs)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 儿 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 4 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 儿 (ひとあし (legs))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 6 strokes under radical 儿.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 光
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 光 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 光 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 光 ("ray, light") is written with 6 strokes (6画) as a JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 儿 (ひとあし (legs)) radical. Written with 6 strokes, 光 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 儿 (ひとあし (legs)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 儿 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 4 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 光?
For 光 (JLPT N3), the Onyomi is コウ and the Kunyomi is ひか.る, ひかり. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (コウ) when 光 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ひか.る, ひかり) when 光 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 光 includes 光る (ひかる (hikaru) — ray), 光 (ひかり (hikari) — ray).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 光 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 6 strokes of 光 (ray, light), start with the 儿 (ひとあし (legs)) in the Standalone / Integrated (部首) 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 光 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N3 Characters to Practice Next
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