How to Write 初 (first time, beginning) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 7-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) character 初 (“first time, beginning”), indexed under the 刀 (かたな / りっとう (sword)) radical. Practice 初 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 初め (はじめ (hajime) — first time), 初めて (はじめて (hajimete) — first time).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (初)
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 4 (小学4年生) (JLPT N3). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ショ) when 初 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (はじ.め, はじ.めて, はつ, はつ-, うい-, -そ.める, -ぞ.め) when 初 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (7画): Written with 7 strokes, 初 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 刀 (かたな / りっとう (sword)) radical (Right (Tsukuri / 旁) position). Establish the 刀 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: 刀 (かたな / りっとう (sword))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 7 strokes under radical 刀.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 初
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 初 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 初 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 初 ("first time, beginning") is written with 7 strokes (7画) as a JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 刀 (かたな / りっとう (sword)) radical. Written with 7 strokes, 初 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 刀 (かたな / りっとう (sword)) radical (Right (Tsukuri / 旁) position). Establish the 刀 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 初?
For 初 (JLPT N3), the Onyomi is ショ and the Kunyomi is はじ.め, はじ.めて, はつ, はつ-, うい-, -そ.める, -ぞ.め. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ショ) when 初 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (はじ.め, はじ.めて, はつ, はつ-, うい-, -そ.める, -ぞ.め) when 初 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 初 includes 初め (はじめ (hajime) — first time), 初めて (はじめて (hajimete) — first time).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 初 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 7 strokes of 初 (first time, beginning), 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 初 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N3 Characters to Practice Next
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