How to Write 呪 (spell, curse, charm, malediction) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 8-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 呪 (“spell, curse, charm, malediction”), indexed under the 口 (くち (mouth)) radical. Practice 呪 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 呪う (まじなう (majinau) — spell), 呪い (のろい (noroi) — spell).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (呪)
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 N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ジュ, シュ, シュウ, ズ) when 呪 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (まじな.う, のろ.い, まじな.い, のろ.う) when 呪 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (8画): Written with 8 strokes, 呪 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 6 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 8 strokes under radical 口.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 呪
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 呪 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 呪 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 呪 ("spell, curse, charm, malediction") is written with 8 strokes (8画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 口 (くち (mouth)) radical. Written with 8 strokes, 呪 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 6 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 呪?
For 呪 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is ジュ, シュ, シュウ, ズ and the Kunyomi is まじな.う, のろ.い, まじな.い, のろ.う. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ジュ, シュ, シュウ, ズ) when 呪 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (まじな.う, のろ.い, まじな.い, のろ.う) when 呪 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 呪 includes 呪う (まじなう (majinau) — spell), 呪い (のろい (noroi) — spell).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 呪 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 8 strokes of 呪 (spell, curse, charm, malediction), 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 呪 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N1 Characters to Practice Next
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