How to Write 城 (castle) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 9-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) character 城 (“castle”), indexed under the 土 (つち (earth)) radical. Practice 城 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 城 (しろ (shiro) — castle).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (城)
Primary Radical (部首): 土 — つち (earth)
Radical Position: Left (Hen / 偏) (偏 (Hen))
Semantic Theme: Ground, earth, clay, soil, land, and territory
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生) (JLPT N2). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ジョウ, セイ) when 城 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (しろ) when 城 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (9画): Written with 9 strokes, 城 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 土 (つち (earth)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position). Establish the 土 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: 土 (つち (earth))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 9 strokes under radical 土.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 城
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 城 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 城 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 城 ("castle") is written with 9 strokes (9画) as a JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 土 (つち (earth)) radical. Written with 9 strokes, 城 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 土 (つち (earth)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position). Establish the 土 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 城?
For 城 (JLPT N2), the Onyomi is ジョウ, セイ and the Kunyomi is しろ. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ジョウ, セイ) when 城 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (しろ) when 城 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 城 includes 城 (しろ (shiro) — castle).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 城 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 9 strokes of 城 (castle), start with the 土 (つち (earth)) 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 城 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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