How to Write 堪 (withstand, endure, support, resist) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 12-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 堪 (“withstand, endure, support, resist”), indexed under the 土 (つち (earth)) radical. Practice 堪 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 堪える (たえる (taeru) — withstand), 堪る (たまる (tamaru) — withstand).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (堪)
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 (カン, タン) when 堪 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (た.える, たま.る, こら.える, こた.える) when 堪 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (12画): At 12 strokes, 堪 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 土 (つち (earth)) 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: 土 (つち (earth))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 12 strokes under radical 土.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 堪
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 堪 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 堪 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 堪 ("withstand, endure, support, resist") is written with 12 strokes (12画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 土 (つち (earth)) radical. At 12 strokes, 堪 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 土 (つち (earth)) 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 堪?
For 堪 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is カン, タン and the Kunyomi is た.える, たま.る, こら.える, こた.える. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (カン, タン) when 堪 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (た.える, たま.る, こら.える, こた.える) when 堪 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 堪 includes 堪える (たえる (taeru) — withstand), 堪る (たまる (tamaru) — withstand).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 堪 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 12 strokes of 堪 (withstand, endure, support, resist), 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 堪 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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