How to Write 前 (in front, before) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 9-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N5 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) character 前 (“in front, before”), indexed under the 刀 (かたな (sword)) radical. Practice 前 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 前 (まえ (mae) — front / before), 午前 (ごぜん (gozen) — morning / AM), 名前 (なまえ (namae) — name).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (前)
Primary Radical (部首): 刀 — かたな (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 N5). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ゼン) when 前 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (まえ) when 前 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (9画): Written with 9 strokes, 前 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 刀 (かたな (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 (sword))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 9 strokes under radical 刀.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 前
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 前 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 前 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 前 ("in front, before") is written with 9 strokes (9画) as a JLPT N5 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 刀 (かたな (sword)) radical. Written with 9 strokes, 前 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 刀 (かたな (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 前?
For 前 (JLPT N5), the Onyomi is ゼン and the Kunyomi is まえ. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ゼン) when 前 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (まえ) when 前 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 前 includes 前 (まえ (mae) — front / before), 午前 (ごぜん (gozen) — morning / AM), 名前 (なまえ (namae) — name).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 前 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 9 strokes of 前 (in front, before), start with the 刀 (かたな (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 前 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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