How to Write 凄 (uncanny, weird, threatening, horrible) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 10-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 凄 (“uncanny, weird, threatening, horrible”), indexed under the 冫 (にすい (ice)) radical. Practice 凄 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 凄い (さむい (samui) — uncanny), 凄い (すごい (sugoi) — uncanny).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (凄)
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 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (セイ, サイ) when 凄 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (さむ.い, すご.い, すさ.まじい) when 凄 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (10画): Written with 10 strokes, 凄 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 8 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 10 strokes under radical 冫.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 凄
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 凄 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 凄 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 凄 ("uncanny, weird, threatening, horrible") is written with 10 strokes (10画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 冫 (にすい (ice)) radical. Written with 10 strokes, 凄 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 8 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 凄?
For 凄 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is セイ, サイ and the Kunyomi is さむ.い, すご.い, すさ.まじい. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (セイ, サイ) when 凄 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (さむ.い, すご.い, すさ.まじい) when 凄 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 凄 includes 凄い (さむい (samui) — uncanny), 凄い (すごい (sugoi) — uncanny).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 凄 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 10 strokes of 凄 (uncanny, weird, threatening, horrible), 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 凄 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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