How to Write 功 (achievement, merits, success, honor, credit) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 5-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) character 功 (“achievement, merits, success, honor, credit”), indexed under the 力 (ちから (power)) radical. Practice 功 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 功 (いさお (isao) — achievement).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (功)
Primary Radical (部首): 力 — ちから (power)
Radical Position: Right (Tsukuri / 旁) (旁 (Tsukuri))
Semantic Theme: Physical strength, effort, power, and labor
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (コウ, ク) when 功 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (いさお) when 功 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (5画): With only 5 strokes, 功 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 力 (ちから (power)) structure (Right (Tsukuri / 旁) position) cleanly around the center intersection and finish terminal strokes with crisp tome (stop) or harai (sweep) release.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
力 (meaning) + 工 (sound コウ)
Derived from the meaning radical 力 (ちから (power)) and the phonetic component 工, giving the on-reading コウ / ク.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 功
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 功 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 功 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 功 ("achievement, merits, success, honor, credit") is written with 5 strokes (5画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) foundational low-stroke shape (1–5 strokes) indexed under the 力 (ちから (power)) radical. With only 5 strokes, 功 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 力 (ちから (power)) structure (Right (Tsukuri / 旁) position) cleanly around the center intersection and finish terminal strokes with crisp tome (stop) or harai (sweep) release.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 功?
For 功 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is コウ, ク and the Kunyomi is いさお. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (コウ, ク) when 功 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (いさお) when 功 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 功 includes 功 (いさお (isao) — achievement).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 功 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 5 strokes of 功 (achievement, merits, success, honor, credit), start with the 力 (ちから (power)) 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 功 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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