How to Write 十 (ten) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 2-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N5 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 1 (小学1年生)) character 十 (“ten”), indexed under the 十 (じゅう (ten)) radical. Practice 十 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 十 (じゅう (juu) — ten), 十分 (じっぷん / じゅうぶん — 10 minutes / enough).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (十)
Primary Radical (部首): 十 — じゅう (ten)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 十
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 1 (小学1年生) (JLPT N5). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ジュウ, ジッ) when 十 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (とお, と) when 十 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (2画): With only 2 strokes, 十 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 十 (じゅう (ten)) 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: 十 (じゅう (ten))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 2 strokes under radical 十.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 十
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 十 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 十 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 十 ("ten") is written with 2 strokes (2画) as a JLPT N5 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 1 (小学1年生)) foundational low-stroke shape (1–5 strokes) indexed under the 十 (じゅう (ten)) radical. With only 2 strokes, 十 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 十 (じゅう (ten)) 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 十?
For 十 (JLPT N5), the Onyomi is ジュウ, ジッ and the Kunyomi is とお, と. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ジュウ, ジッ) when 十 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (とお, と) when 十 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 十 includes 十 (じゅう (juu) — ten), 十分 (じっぷん / じゅうぶん — 10 minutes / enough).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 十 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 2 strokes of 十 (ten), start with the 十 (じゅう (ten)) 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 十 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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