How to Write 南 (south) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 9-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N5 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) character 南 (“south”), indexed under the 十 (じゅう (ten)) radical. Practice 南 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 南 (みなみ (minami) — south), 東南 (とうなん (tounan) — southeast).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (南)
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 2 (小学2年生) (JLPT N5). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ナン) when 南 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (みなみ) when 南 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (9画): Written with 9 strokes, 南 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 十 (じゅう (ten)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 十 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 7 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 十 (じゅう (ten))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 9 strokes under radical 十.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 南
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 南 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 南 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 南 ("south") is written with 9 strokes (9画) as a JLPT N5 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 十 (じゅう (ten)) radical. Written with 9 strokes, 南 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 十 (じゅう (ten)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 十 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 7 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 南?
For 南 (JLPT N5), the Onyomi is ナン and the Kunyomi is みなみ. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ナン) when 南 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (みなみ) when 南 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 南 includes 南 (みなみ (minami) — south), 東南 (とうなん (tounan) — southeast).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 南 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 9 strokes of 南 (south), 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 南 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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