How to Write 勤 (diligence, become employed, serve) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 12-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生)) character 勤 (“diligence, become employed, serve”), indexed under the 力 (ちから (power)) radical. Practice 勤 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 勤める (つとめる (tsutomeru) — diligence), 勤め (づとめ (zutome) — diligence).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (勤)
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 6 (小学6年生) (JLPT N3). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (キン, ゴン) when 勤 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (つと.める, -づと.め, つと.まる, いそ.しむ) when 勤 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (12画): At 12 strokes, 勤 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 12 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 力 (ちから (power))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 12 strokes under radical 力.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 勤
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 勤 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 勤 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 勤 ("diligence, become employed, serve") is written with 12 strokes (12画) as a JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 力 (ちから (power)) radical. At 12 strokes, 勤 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 12 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 勤?
For 勤 (JLPT N3), the Onyomi is キン, ゴン and the Kunyomi is つと.める, -づと.め, つと.まる, いそ.しむ. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (キン, ゴン) when 勤 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (つと.める, -づと.め, つと.まる, いそ.しむ) when 勤 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 勤 includes 勤める (つとめる (tsutomeru) — diligence), 勤め (づとめ (zutome) — diligence).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 勤 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 12 strokes of 勤 (diligence, become employed, serve), 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 勤 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N3 Characters to Practice Next
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