How to Write 写 (copy, be photographed, describe) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 5-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) character 写 (“copy, be photographed, describe”), indexed under the 冖 (わかんむり (cover)) radical. Practice 写 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 写す (うつす (utsusu) — copy), 写る (うつる (utsuru) — copy).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (写)
Primary Radical (部首): 冖 — わかんむり (cover)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 冖
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生) (JLPT N4). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (シャ, ジャ) when 写 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (うつ.す, うつ.る, うつ-, うつ.し) when 写 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (5画): With only 5 strokes, 写 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 冖 (わかんむり (cover)) 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: 冖 (わかんむり (cover))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 5 strokes under radical 冖.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 写
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 写 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 写 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 写 ("copy, be photographed, describe") is written with 5 strokes (5画) as a JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) foundational low-stroke shape (1–5 strokes) indexed under the 冖 (わかんむり (cover)) radical. With only 5 strokes, 写 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 冖 (わかんむり (cover)) 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 写?
For 写 (JLPT N4), the Onyomi is シャ, ジャ and the Kunyomi is うつ.す, うつ.る, うつ-, うつ.し. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (シャ, ジャ) when 写 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (うつ.す, うつ.る, うつ-, うつ.し) when 写 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 写 includes 写す (うつす (utsusu) — copy), 写る (うつる (utsuru) — copy).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 写 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 5 strokes of 写 (copy, be photographed, describe), start with the 冖 (わかんむり (cover)) 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 写 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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