How to Write 努 (toil, diligent, as much as possible) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 7-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) character 努 (“toil, diligent, as much as possible”), indexed under the 力 (ちから (power)) radical. Practice 努 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 努める (つとめる (tsutomeru) — toil).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (努)
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 N3). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ド) when 努 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (つと.める) when 努 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (7画): Written with 7 strokes, 努 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 5 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 7 strokes under radical 力.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 努
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 努 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 努 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 努 ("toil, diligent, as much as possible") is written with 7 strokes (7画) as a JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 力 (ちから (power)) radical. Written with 7 strokes, 努 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 5 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 努?
For 努 (JLPT N3), the Onyomi is ド and the Kunyomi is つと.める. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ド) when 努 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (つと.める) when 努 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 努 includes 努める (つとめる (tsutomeru) — toil).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 努 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 7 strokes of 努 (toil, diligent, as much as possible), 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 努 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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