How to Write 哉 (how, what, alas, question mark, exclamation mark) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 9-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 9 (小学9年生)) character 哉 (“how, what, alas, question mark, exclamation mark”), indexed under the 口 (くち (mouth)) radical. Practice 哉 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 哉 (かな (kana) — how), 哉 (や (ya) — how).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (哉)
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 9 (小学9年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (サイ) when 哉 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (かな, や) when 哉 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (9画): Written with 9 strokes, 哉 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 哉
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 哉 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 哉 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 哉 ("how, what, alas, question mark, exclamation mark") is written with 9 strokes (9画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 9 (小学9年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 口 (くち (mouth)) radical. Written with 9 strokes, 哉 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 哉?
For 哉 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is サイ and the Kunyomi is かな, や. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (サイ) when 哉 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (かな, や) when 哉 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 哉 includes 哉 (かな (kana) — how), 哉 (や (ya) — how).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 哉 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 9 strokes of 哉 (how, what, alas, question mark, exclamation mark), 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 哉 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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