How to Write 商 (make a deal, selling, dealing in, merchant) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 11-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) character 商 (“make a deal, selling, dealing in, merchant”), indexed under the 口 (くち (mouth)) radical. Practice 商 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 商う (あきなう (akinau) — make a deal).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (商)
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 N3). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ショウ) when 商 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (あきな.う) when 商 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (11画): Written with 11 strokes, 商 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 9 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 11 strokes under radical 口.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 商
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 商 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 商 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 商 ("make a deal, selling, dealing in, merchant") is written with 11 strokes (11画) as a JLPT N3 (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 11 strokes, 商 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 9 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 商?
For 商 (JLPT N3), the Onyomi is ショウ and the Kunyomi is あきな.う. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ショウ) when 商 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (あきな.う) when 商 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 商 includes 商う (あきなう (akinau) — make a deal).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 商 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 11 strokes of 商 (make a deal, selling, dealing in, merchant), 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 商 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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