How to Write 四 (four) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 5-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N5 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 1 (小学1年生)) character 四 (“four”), indexed under the 囗 (くにがまえ (box)) radical. Practice 四 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 四つ (よっつ (yottsu) — four things), 四月 (しがつ (shigatsu) — April), 四季 (しき (shiki) — four seasons).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (四)
Primary Radical (部首): 囗 — くにがまえ (box)
Radical Position: Enclosure (Kamae / 構) (構 (Kamae))
Semantic Theme: Enclosed borders, walls, territory, and countries
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 1 (小学1年生) (JLPT N5). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (シ) when 四 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (よ-, よ.つ, よっ.つ, よん) when 四 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (5画): With only 5 strokes, 四 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 囗 (くにがまえ (box)) structure (Enclosure (Kamae / 構) position) cleanly around the center intersection and finish terminal strokes with crisp tome (stop) or harai (sweep) release.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 囗 (くにがまえ (box))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 5 strokes under radical 囗.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 四
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 四 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 四 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 四 ("four") is written with 5 strokes (5画) as a JLPT N5 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 1 (小学1年生)) foundational low-stroke shape (1–5 strokes) indexed under the 囗 (くにがまえ (box)) radical. With only 5 strokes, 四 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 囗 (くにがまえ (box)) structure (Enclosure (Kamae / 構) position) cleanly around the center intersection and finish terminal strokes with crisp tome (stop) or harai (sweep) release.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 四?
For 四 (JLPT N5), the Onyomi is シ and the Kunyomi is よ-, よ.つ, よっ.つ, よん. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (シ) when 四 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (よ-, よ.つ, よっ.つ, よん) when 四 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 四 includes 四つ (よっつ (yottsu) — four things), 四月 (しがつ (shigatsu) — April), 四季 (しき (shiki) — four seasons).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 四 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 5 strokes of 四 (four), start with the 囗 (くにがまえ (box)) in the Enclosure (Kamae / 構) (構 (Kamae)) 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 四 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N5 Characters to Practice Next
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