How to Write 勺 (ladle, one tenth of a go, dip) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 3-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 9 (小学9年生)) character 勺 (“ladle, one tenth of a go, dip”), indexed under the 勹 (つつみがまえ (wrap)) radical. Practice 勺 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 勺 (シャク / しゃく (shaku) — ladle).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (勺)
Primary Radical (部首): 勹 — つつみがまえ (wrap)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 勹
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 9 (小学9年生) (JLPT N1). 勺 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (シャク) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (3画): With only 3 strokes, 勺 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 勹 (つつみがまえ (wrap)) structure (Standalone / Integrated position) cleanly around the center intersection and finish terminal strokes with crisp tome (stop) or harai (sweep) release.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 勹 (つつみがまえ (wrap))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 3 strokes under radical 勹.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 勺
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 勺 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 勺 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 勺 ("ladle, one tenth of a go, dip") is written with 3 strokes (3画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 9 (小学9年生)) foundational low-stroke shape (1–5 strokes) indexed under the 勹 (つつみがまえ (wrap)) radical. With only 3 strokes, 勺 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 勹 (つつみがまえ (wrap)) structure (Standalone / Integrated position) cleanly around the center intersection and finish terminal strokes with crisp tome (stop) or harai (sweep) release.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 勺?
For 勺 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is シャク and the Kunyomi is —. 勺 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (シャク) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 勺 includes 勺 (シャク / しゃく (shaku) — ladle).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 勺 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 3 strokes of 勺 (ladle, one tenth of a go, dip), start with the 勹 (つつみがまえ (wrap)) in the Standalone / Integrated (部首) 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 勺 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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