How to Write 削 (plane, sharpen, whittle, pare, shave) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 9-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 削 (“plane, sharpen, whittle, pare, shave”), indexed under the 刀 (かたな / りっとう (sword)) radical. Practice 削 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 削る (けずる (kezuru) — plane), 削る (はつる (hatsuru) — plane).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (削)
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 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (サク) when 削 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (けず.る, はつ.る, そ.ぐ) when 削 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (9画): Written with 9 strokes, 削 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 削
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 削 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 削 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 削 ("plane, sharpen, whittle, pare, shave") is written with 9 strokes (9画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8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, 削 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 削?
For 削 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is サク and the Kunyomi is けず.る, はつ.る, そ.ぐ. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (サク) when 削 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (けず.る, はつ.る, そ.ぐ) when 削 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 削 includes 削る (けずる (kezuru) — plane), 削る (はつる (hatsuru) — plane).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 削 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 9 strokes of 削 (plane, sharpen, whittle, pare, shave), 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 削 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N1 Characters to Practice Next
View Full JLPT N1 Kanji List →Unlock All 2,000+ JLPT N5–N1 Kanji, AI Sensei & Unlimited Genkō Yōshi PDF Books
Get lifetime access to all 2,136 Jōyō Kanji (JLPT N5–N1), AI Kanji Sensei mnemonics, and unlimited Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheets for a one-time payment of $17.99 USD (10% OFF the $19.99 Lifetime Pro Pass with promo code KANJI10). Zero monthly subscriptions!