How to Write 八 (eight) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 2-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N5 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 1 (小学1年生)) character 八 (“eight”), indexed under the 八 (はち (eight)) radical. Practice 八 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 八つ (やっつ (yattsu) — eight things), 八月 (はちがつ (hachigatsu) — August), 八百屋 (やおや (yaoya) — vegetable store).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (八)
Primary Radical (部首): 八 — はち (eight)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 八
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 1 (小学1年生) (JLPT N5). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ハチ) when 八 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (や-, や.つ, やっ.つ, よう) when 八 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (2画): With only 2 strokes, 八 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 八 (はち (eight)) structure (Standalone / Integrated 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: 八 (はち (eight))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 2 strokes under radical 八.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 八
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 八 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 八 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 八 ("eight") is written with 2 strokes (2画) as a JLPT N5 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 1 (小学1年生)) foundational low-stroke shape (1–5 strokes) indexed under the 八 (はち (eight)) radical. With only 2 strokes, 八 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 八 (はち (eight)) structure (Standalone / Integrated 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 八?
For 八 (JLPT N5), the Onyomi is ハチ and the Kunyomi is や-, や.つ, やっ.つ, よう. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ハチ) when 八 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (や-, や.つ, やっ.つ, よう) when 八 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 八 includes 八つ (やっつ (yattsu) — eight things), 八月 (はちがつ (hachigatsu) — August), 八百屋 (やおや (yaoya) — vegetable store).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 八 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 2 strokes of 八 (eight), start with the 八 (はち (eight)) 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 八 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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