How to Write 召 (seduce, call, send for, wear, put on) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 5-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 召 (“seduce, call, send for, wear, put on”), indexed under the 口 (くち (mouth)) radical. Practice 召 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 召す (めす (mesu) — seduce).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (召)
Primary Radical (部首): 口 — くち (mouth)
Radical Position: Left (Hen / 偏) (偏 (Hen))
Semantic Theme: Mouth, speaking, eating, openings, and vocalization
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N2). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ショウ) when 召 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (め.す) when 召 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (5画): With only 5 strokes, 召 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 口 (くち (mouth)) structure (Left (Hen / 偏) 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: 口 (くち (mouth))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 5 strokes under radical 口.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 召
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 召 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 召 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 召 ("seduce, call, send for, wear, put on") is written with 5 strokes (5画) as a JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) foundational low-stroke shape (1–5 strokes) indexed under the 口 (くち (mouth)) radical. With only 5 strokes, 召 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 口 (くち (mouth)) structure (Left (Hen / 偏) 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 召?
For 召 (JLPT N2), the Onyomi is ショウ and the Kunyomi is め.す. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ショウ) when 召 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (め.す) when 召 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 召 includes 召す (めす (mesu) — seduce).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 召 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 5 strokes of 召 (seduce, call, send for, wear, put on), start with the 口 (くち (mouth)) in the Left (Hen / 偏) (偏 (Hen)) 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 召 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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