How to Write 制 (system, law, rule) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 8-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 5 (小学5年生)) character 制 (“system, law, rule”), indexed under the 刀 (かたな / りっとう (sword)) radical. Practice 制 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 制 (セイ / せい (sei) — system).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (制)
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 5 (小学5年生) (JLPT N3). 制 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (セイ) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (8画): Written with 8 strokes, 制 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 6 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 8 strokes under radical 刀.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 制
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 制 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 制 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 制 ("system, law, rule") is written with 8 strokes (8画) as a JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 5 (小学5年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 刀 (かたな / りっとう (sword)) radical. Written with 8 strokes, 制 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 6 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 制?
For 制 (JLPT N3), the Onyomi is セイ and the Kunyomi is —. 制 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (セイ) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 制 includes 制 (セイ / せい (sei) — system).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 制 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 8 strokes of 制 (system, law, rule), 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 制 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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