How to Write 匹 (equal, head, counter for small animals, roll of cloth) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 4-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 匹 (“equal, head, counter for small animals, roll of cloth”), indexed under the 匸 (かくしがまえ (enclosure)) radical. Practice 匹 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 匹 (ひき (hiki) — equal).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (匹)
Primary Radical (部首): 匸 — かくしがまえ (enclosure)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 匸
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N2). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ヒツ) when 匹 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ひき) when 匹 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (4画): With only 4 strokes, 匹 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 匸 (かくしがまえ (enclosure)) 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: 匸 (かくしがまえ (enclosure))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 4 strokes under radical 匸.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 匹
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 匹 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 匹 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 匹 ("equal, head, counter for small animals, roll of cloth") is written with 4 strokes (4画) as a JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) foundational low-stroke shape (1–5 strokes) indexed under the 匸 (かくしがまえ (enclosure)) radical. With only 4 strokes, 匹 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 匸 (かくしがまえ (enclosure)) 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 匹?
For 匹 (JLPT N2), the Onyomi is ヒツ and the Kunyomi is ひき. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ヒツ) when 匹 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ひき) when 匹 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 匹 includes 匹 (ひき (hiki) — equal).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 匹 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 4 strokes of 匹 (equal, head, counter for small animals, roll of cloth), start with the 匸 (かくしがまえ (enclosure)) 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 匹 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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