How to Write 効 (merit, efficacy, efficiency, benefit) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 8-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 5 (小学5年生)) character 効 (“merit, efficacy, efficiency, benefit”), indexed under the 力 (ちから (power)) radical. Practice 効 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 効く (きく (kiku) — merit), 効 (ききめ (kikime) — merit).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (効)
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 5 (小学5年生) (JLPT N2). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (コウ) when 効 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (き.く, ききめ, なら.う) when 効 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (8画): Written with 8 strokes, 効 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 6 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
力 (meaning) + 交 (sound コウ)
Derived from the meaning radical 力 (ちから (power)) and the phonetic component 交, giving the on-reading コウ.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 効
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 効 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 効 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 効 ("merit, efficacy, efficiency, benefit") is written with 8 strokes (8画) as a JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 5 (小学5年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 力 (ちから (power)) radical. Written with 8 strokes, 効 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 6 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 効?
For 効 (JLPT N2), the Onyomi is コウ and the Kunyomi is き.く, ききめ, なら.う. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (コウ) when 効 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (き.く, ききめ, なら.う) when 効 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 効 includes 効く (きく (kiku) — merit), 効 (ききめ (kikime) — merit).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 効 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 8 strokes of 効 (merit, efficacy, efficiency, benefit), 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 効 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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