How to Write 冴 (be clear, serene, cold, skilful) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 7-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 9 (小学9年生)) character 冴 (“be clear, serene, cold, skilful”), indexed under the 冫 (にすい (ice)) radical. Practice 冴 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 冴える (さえる (saeru) — be clear), 冴る (こおる (kooru) — be clear).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (冴)
Primary Radical (部首): 冫 — にすい (ice)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 冫
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 9 (小学9年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ゴ, コ) when 冴 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (さ.える, こお.る, ひ.える) when 冴 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (7画): Written with 7 strokes, 冴 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 冫 (にすい (ice)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 冫 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 5 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 冫 (にすい (ice))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 7 strokes under radical 冫.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 冴
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 冴 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 冴 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 冴 ("be clear, serene, cold, skilful") is written with 7 strokes (7画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 9 (小学9年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 冫 (にすい (ice)) radical. Written with 7 strokes, 冴 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 冫 (にすい (ice)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 冫 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 5 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 冴?
For 冴 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is ゴ, コ and the Kunyomi is さ.える, こお.る, ひ.える. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ゴ, コ) when 冴 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (さ.える, こお.る, ひ.える) when 冴 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 冴 includes 冴える (さえる (saeru) — be clear), 冴る (こおる (kooru) — be clear).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 冴 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 7 strokes of 冴 (be clear, serene, cold, skilful), start with the 冫 (にすい (ice)) 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 冴 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N1 Characters to Practice Next
View Full JLPT N1 Kanji List →Unlock All 2,000+ JLPT N5–N1 Kanji, AI Sensei & Unlimited Genkō Yōshi PDF Books
Get lifetime access to all 2,136 Jōyō Kanji (JLPT N5–N1), AI Kanji Sensei mnemonics, and unlimited Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheets for a one-time payment of $17.99 USD (10% OFF the $19.99 Lifetime Pro Pass with promo code KANJI10). Zero monthly subscriptions!