How to Write 味 (flavor, taste) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 8-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) character 味 (“flavor, taste”), indexed under the 口 (くち (mouth)) radical. Practice 味 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 味 (あじ (aji) — flavor), 味わう (あじわう (ajiwau) — flavor).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (味)
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 3 (小学3年生) (JLPT N4). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ミ) when 味 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (あじ, あじ.わう) when 味 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (8画): Written with 8 strokes, 味 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 味
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 味 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 味 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 味 ("flavor, taste") is written with 8 strokes (8画) as a JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 口 (くち (mouth)) radical. Written with 8 strokes, 味 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 味?
For 味 (JLPT N4), the Onyomi is ミ and the Kunyomi is あじ, あじ.わう. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ミ) when 味 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (あじ, あじ.わう) when 味 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 味 includes 味 (あじ (aji) — flavor), 味わう (あじわう (ajiwau) — flavor).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 味 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 8 strokes of 味 (flavor, taste), 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 味 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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