How to Write 内 (inside, within, between, among, house) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 4-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) character 内 (“inside, within, between, among, house”), indexed under the 冂 (けいがまえ (border)) radical. Practice 内 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 内 (うち (uchi) — inside).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (内)
Primary Radical (部首): 冂 — けいがまえ (border)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 冂
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生) (JLPT N3). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ナイ, ダイ) when 内 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (うち) when 内 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (4画): With only 4 strokes, 内 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 冂 (けいがまえ (border)) 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: 冂 (けいがまえ (border))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 4 strokes under radical 冂.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 内
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 内 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 内 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 内 ("inside, within, between, among, house") is written with 4 strokes (4画) as a JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) foundational low-stroke shape (1–5 strokes) indexed under the 冂 (けいがまえ (border)) radical. With only 4 strokes, 内 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 冂 (けいがまえ (border)) 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 内?
For 内 (JLPT N3), the Onyomi is ナイ, ダイ and the Kunyomi is うち. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ナイ, ダイ) when 内 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (うち) when 内 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 内 includes 内 (うち (uchi) — inside).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 内 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 4 strokes of 内 (inside, within, between, among, house), start with the 冂 (けいがまえ (border)) 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 内 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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