How to Write 哀 (pathetic, grief, sorrow, pathos, pity) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 9-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 哀 (“pathetic, grief, sorrow, pathos, pity”), indexed under the 口 (くち (mouth)) radical. Practice 哀 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 哀れ (あわれ (aware) — pathetic), 哀れむ (あわれむ (awaremu) — pathetic).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (哀)
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 (アイ) when 哀 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (あわ.れ, あわ.れむ, かな.しい) when 哀 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (9画): Written with 9 strokes, 哀 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 7 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 9 strokes under radical 口.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 哀
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 哀 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 哀 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 哀 ("pathetic, grief, sorrow, pathos, pity") is written with 9 strokes (9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 9 strokes, 哀 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 7 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 哀?
For 哀 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is アイ and the Kunyomi is あわ.れ, あわ.れむ, かな.しい. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (アイ) when 哀 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (あわ.れ, あわ.れむ, かな.しい) when 哀 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 哀 includes 哀れ (あわれ (aware) — pathetic), 哀れむ (あわれむ (awaremu) — pathetic).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 哀 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 9 strokes of 哀 (pathetic, grief, sorrow, pathos, pity), 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 哀 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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