How to Write 勾 (be bent, slope, capture) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 4-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 勾 (“be bent, slope, capture”), indexed under the 勹 (つつみがまえ (wrap)) radical. Practice 勾 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 勾 (かぎ (kagi) — be bent), 勾がる (まがる (magaru) — be bent).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (勾)
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 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (コウ, ク) when 勾 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (かぎ, ま.がる) when 勾 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (4画): With only 4 strokes, 勾 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 4 strokes under radical 勹.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 勾
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 勾 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 勾 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 勾 ("be bent, slope, capture") is written with 4 strokes (4画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) foundational low-stroke shape (1–5 strokes) indexed under the 勹 (つつみがまえ (wrap)) radical. With only 4 strokes, 勾 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 勾?
For 勾 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is コウ, ク and the Kunyomi is かぎ, ま.がる. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (コウ, ク) when 勾 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (かぎ, ま.がる) when 勾 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 勾 includes 勾 (かぎ (kagi) — be bent), 勾がる (まがる (magaru) — be bent).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 勾 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 4 strokes of 勾 (be bent, slope, capture), 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 勾 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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