How to Write 困 (quandary, become distressed, annoyed) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 7-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生)) character 困 (“quandary, become distressed, annoyed”), indexed under the 囗 (くにがまえ (enclosure)) radical. Practice 困 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 困る (こまる (komaru) — quandary).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (困)
Primary Radical (部首): 囗 — くにがまえ (enclosure)
Radical Position: Enclosure (Kamae / 構) (構 (Kamae))
Semantic Theme: Enclosed borders, walls, territory, and countries
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生) (JLPT N3). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (コン) when 困 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (こま.る) when 困 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (7画): Written with 7 strokes, 困 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 囗 (くにがまえ (enclosure)) radical (Enclosure (Kamae / 構) position). Establish the 囗 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 5 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 囗 (くにがまえ (enclosure))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 7 strokes under radical 囗.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 困
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 困 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 困 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 困 ("quandary, become distressed, annoyed") is written with 7 strokes (7画) as a JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 囗 (くにがまえ (enclosure)) radical. Written with 7 strokes, 困 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 囗 (くにがまえ (enclosure)) radical (Enclosure (Kamae / 構) position). Establish the 囗 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 5 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 困?
For 困 (JLPT N3), the Onyomi is コン and the Kunyomi is こま.る. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (コン) when 困 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (こま.る) when 困 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 困 includes 困る (こまる (komaru) — quandary).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 困 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 7 strokes of 困 (quandary, become distressed, annoyed), start with the 囗 (くにがまえ (enclosure)) 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 困 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N3 Characters to Practice Next
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