How to Write 后 (empress, queen, after, behind, back) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 6-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生)) character 后 (“empress, queen, after, behind, back”), indexed under the 口 (くち (mouth)) radical. Practice 后 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 后 (きさき (kisaki) — empress).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (后)
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 6 (小学6年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (コウ, ゴ) when 后 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (きさき) when 后 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (6画): Written with 6 strokes, 后 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 口 (くち (mouth)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position). Establish the 口 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 4 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 口 (くち (mouth))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 6 strokes under radical 口.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 后
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 后 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 后 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 后 ("empress, queen, after, behind, back") is written with 6 strokes (6画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 口 (くち (mouth)) radical. Written with 6 strokes, 后 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 口 (くち (mouth)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position). Establish the 口 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 4 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 后?
For 后 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is コウ, ゴ and the Kunyomi is きさき. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (コウ, ゴ) when 后 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (きさき) when 后 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 后 includes 后 (きさき (kisaki) — empress).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 后 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 6 strokes of 后 (empress, queen, after, behind, back), 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 后 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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