How to Write 則 (rule, law, follow, based on, model after) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 9-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 5 (小学5年生)) character 則 (“rule, law, follow, based on, model after”), indexed under the 刀 (かたな / りっとう (sword)) radical. Practice 則 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 則る (のっとる (nottoru) — rule), 則 (のり (nori) — rule).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (則)
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 N2). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ソク) when 則 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (のっと.る, のり, すなわち) when 則 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (9画): Written with 9 strokes, 則 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 7 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 9 strokes under radical 刀.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 則
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 則 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 則 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 則 ("rule, law, follow, based on, model after") is written with 9 strokes (9画) as a JLPT N2 (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 9 strokes, 則 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 7 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 則?
For 則 (JLPT N2), the Onyomi is ソク and the Kunyomi is のっと.る, のり, すなわち. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ソク) when 則 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (のっと.る, のり, すなわち) when 則 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 則 includes 則る (のっとる (nottoru) — rule), 則 (のり (nori) — rule).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 則 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 9 strokes of 則 (rule, law, follow, based on, model after), 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 則 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N2 Characters to Practice Next
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