How to Write 劣 (inferiority, be inferior to, be worse) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 6-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 劣 (“inferiority, be inferior to, be worse”), indexed under the 力 (ちから (power)) radical. Practice 劣 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 劣る (おとる (otoru) — inferiority).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (劣)
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 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (レツ) when 劣 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (おと.る) when 劣 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (6画): Written with 6 strokes, 劣 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 力 (ちから (power)) radical (Right (Tsukuri / 旁) position). Establish the 力 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 4 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 力 (ちから (power))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 6 strokes under radical 力.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 劣
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 劣 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 劣 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 劣 ("inferiority, be inferior to, be worse") is written with 6 strokes (6画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 力 (ちから (power)) radical. Written with 6 strokes, 劣 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 力 (ちから (power)) radical (Right (Tsukuri / 旁) position). Establish the 力 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 4 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 劣?
For 劣 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is レツ and the Kunyomi is おと.る. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (レツ) when 劣 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (おと.る) when 劣 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 劣 includes 劣る (おとる (otoru) — inferiority).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 劣 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 6 strokes of 劣 (inferiority, be inferior to, be worse), 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 劣 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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