How to Write 参 (nonplussed, three (in documents), going, coming, visiting) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 8-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) character 参 (“nonplussed, three (in documents), going, coming, visiting”), indexed under the 厶 (む (private)) radical. Practice 参 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 参る (まいる (mairu) — nonplussed), 参 (まい (mai) — nonplussed).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (参)
Primary Radical (部首): 厶 — む (private)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 厶
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生) (JLPT N3). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (サン, シン) when 参 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (まい.る, まい-, まじわる, みつ) when 参 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (8画): Written with 8 strokes, 参 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 厶 (む (private)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 厶 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 6 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 厶 (む (private))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 8 strokes under radical 厶.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 参
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 参 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 参 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 参 ("nonplussed, three (in documents), going, coming, visiting") is written with 8 strokes (8画) as a JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 厶 (む (private)) radical. Written with 8 strokes, 参 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 厶 (む (private)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 厶 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 6 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 参?
For 参 (JLPT N3), the Onyomi is サン, シン and the Kunyomi is まい.る, まい-, まじわる, みつ. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (サン, シン) when 参 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (まい.る, まい-, まじわる, みつ) when 参 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 参 includes 参る (まいる (mairu) — nonplussed), 参 (まい (mai) — nonplussed).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 参 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 8 strokes of 参 (nonplussed, three (in documents), going, coming, visiting), start with the 厶 (む (private)) 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 参 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N3 Characters to Practice Next
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