How to Write 堀 (ditch, moat, canal) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 11-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 堀 (“ditch, moat, canal”), indexed under the 土 (つち (earth)) radical. Practice 堀 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 堀 (ほり (hori) — ditch).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (堀)
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 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (クツ) when 堀 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ほり) when 堀 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (11画): Written with 11 strokes, 堀 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 9 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 11 strokes under radical 土.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 堀
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 堀 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 堀 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 堀 ("ditch, moat, canal") is written with 11 strokes (11画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 土 (つち (earth)) radical. Written with 11 strokes, 堀 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 9 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 堀?
For 堀 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is クツ and the Kunyomi is ほり. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (クツ) when 堀 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ほり) when 堀 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 堀 includes 堀 (ほり (hori) — ditch).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 堀 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 11 strokes of 堀 (ditch, moat, canal), 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 堀 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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