How to Write 勢 (forces, energy, military strength) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 13-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 5 (小学5年生)) character 勢 (“forces, energy, military strength”), indexed under the 力 (ちから (power)) radical. Practice 勢 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 勢い (いきおい (ikioi) — forces), 勢 (はずみ (hazumi) — forces).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (勢)
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 (セイ, ゼイ) when 勢 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (いきお.い, はずみ) when 勢 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (13画): At 13 strokes, 勢 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 力 (ちから (power)) radical (Right (Tsukuri / 旁) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 13 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 力 (ちから (power))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 13 strokes under radical 力.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 勢
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 勢 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 勢 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 勢 ("forces, energy, military strength") is written with 13 strokes (13画) as a JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 5 (小学5年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 力 (ちから (power)) radical. At 13 strokes, 勢 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 力 (ちから (power)) radical (Right (Tsukuri / 旁) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 13 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 勢?
For 勢 (JLPT N2), the Onyomi is セイ, ゼイ and the Kunyomi is いきお.い, はずみ. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (セイ, ゼイ) when 勢 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (いきお.い, はずみ) when 勢 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 勢 includes 勢い (いきおい (ikioi) — forces), 勢 (はずみ (hazumi) — forces).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 勢 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 13 strokes of 勢 (forces, energy, military strength), 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 勢 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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