How to Write 喜 (rejoice, take pleasure in) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 12-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 5 (小学5年生)) character 喜 (“rejoice, take pleasure in”), indexed under the 口 (くち (mouth)) radical. Practice 喜 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 喜ぶ (よろこぶ (yorokobu) — rejoice), 喜ばす (よろこばす (yorokobasu) — rejoice).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (喜)
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 5 (小学5年生) (JLPT N3). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (キ) when 喜 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (よろこ.ぶ, よろこ.ばす) when 喜 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (12画): At 12 strokes, 喜 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 口 (くち (mouth)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 12 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 口 (くち (mouth))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 12 strokes under radical 口.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 喜
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 喜 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 喜 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 喜 ("rejoice, take pleasure in") is written with 12 strokes (12画) as a JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 5 (小学5年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 口 (くち (mouth)) radical. At 12 strokes, 喜 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 口 (くち (mouth)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 12 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 喜?
For 喜 (JLPT N3), the Onyomi is キ and the Kunyomi is よろこ.ぶ, よろこ.ばす. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (キ) when 喜 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (よろこ.ぶ, よろこ.ばす) when 喜 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 喜 includes 喜ぶ (よろこぶ (yorokobu) — rejoice), 喜ばす (よろこばす (yorokobasu) — rejoice).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 喜 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 12 strokes of 喜 (rejoice, take pleasure in), 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 喜 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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