How to Write 勲 (meritorious deed, merit) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 15-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 勲 (“meritorious deed, merit”), indexed under the 力 (ちから (power)) radical. Practice 勲 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 勲 (いさお (isao) — meritorious deed).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (勲)
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 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (クン) when 勲 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (いさお) when 勲 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (15画): At 15 strokes, 勲 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 15 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 力 (ちから (power))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 15 strokes under radical 力.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 勲
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 勲 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 勲 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 勲 ("meritorious deed, merit") is written with 15 strokes (15画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 力 (ちから (power)) radical. At 15 strokes, 勲 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 15 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 勲?
For 勲 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is クン and the Kunyomi is いさお. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (クン) when 勲 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (いさお) when 勲 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 勲 includes 勲 (いさお (isao) — meritorious deed).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 勲 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 15 strokes of 勲 (meritorious deed, merit), 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 勲 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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