How to Write 切 (cut, cutoff, be sharp) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 4-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) character 切 (“cut, cutoff, be sharp”), indexed under the 刀 (かたな / りっとう (sword)) radical. Practice 切 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 切る (きる (kiru) — cut), 切る (きる (kiru) — cut).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (切)
Primary Radical (部首): 刀 — かたな / りっとう (sword)
Radical Position: Right (Tsukuri / 旁) (旁 (Tsukuri))
Semantic Theme: Knives, swords, cutting, dividing, and sharpness
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生) (JLPT N4). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (セツ, サイ) when 切 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (き.る, -き.る, き.り, -き.り, -ぎ.り, き.れる, -き.れる, き.れ, -き.れ, -ぎ.れ) when 切 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (4画): With only 4 strokes, 切 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 刀 (かたな / りっとう (sword)) structure (Right (Tsukuri / 旁) 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: 刀 (かたな / りっとう (sword))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 4 strokes under radical 刀.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 切
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 切 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 切 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 切 ("cut, cutoff, be sharp") is written with 4 strokes (4画) as a JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) foundational low-stroke shape (1–5 strokes) indexed under the 刀 (かたな / りっとう (sword)) radical. With only 4 strokes, 切 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 刀 (かたな / りっとう (sword)) structure (Right (Tsukuri / 旁) 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 切?
For 切 (JLPT N4), the Onyomi is セツ, サイ and the Kunyomi is き.る, -き.る, き.り, -き.り, -ぎ.り, き.れる, -き.れる, き.れ, -き.れ, -ぎ.れ. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (セツ, サイ) when 切 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (き.る, -き.る, き.り, -き.り, -ぎ.り, き.れる, -き.れる, き.れ, -き.れ, -ぎ.れ) when 切 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 切 includes 切る (きる (kiru) — cut), 切る (きる (kiru) — cut).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 切 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 4 strokes of 切 (cut, cutoff, be sharp), start with the 刀 (かたな / りっとう (sword)) in the Right (Tsukuri / 旁) (旁 (Tsukuri)) 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 切 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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