How to Write 動 (move, motion, change, confusion, shift) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 11-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) character 動 (“move, motion, change, confusion, shift”), indexed under the 力 (ちから (power)) radical. Practice 動 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 動く (うごく (ugoku) — move), 動かす (うごかす (ugokasu) — move).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (動)
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 3 (小学3年生) (JLPT N4). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ドウ) when 動 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (うご.く, うご.かす) when 動 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (11画): Written with 11 strokes, 動 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 9 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
力 (meaning) + 重 (sound ジュウ)
Derived from the meaning radical 力 (ちから (power)) and the phonetic component 重, giving the on-reading ジュウ / チョウ.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 動
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 動 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 動 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 動 ("move, motion, change, confusion, shift") is written with 11 strokes (11画) as a JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 力 (ちから (power)) radical. Written with 11 strokes, 動 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 9 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 動?
For 動 (JLPT N4), the Onyomi is ドウ and the Kunyomi is うご.く, うご.かす. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ドウ) when 動 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (うご.く, うご.かす) when 動 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 動 includes 動く (うごく (ugoku) — move), 動かす (うごかす (ugokasu) — move).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 動 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 11 strokes of 動 (move, motion, change, confusion, shift), 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 動 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N4 Characters to Practice Next
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