How to Write 塗 (paint, plaster, daub, smear, coating) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 13-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 塗 (“paint, plaster, daub, smear, coating”), indexed under the 土 (つち (earth)) radical. Practice 塗 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 塗る (ぬる (nuru) — paint), 塗り (ぬり (nuri) — paint).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (塗)
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 N2). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ト) when 塗 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ぬ.る, ぬ.り, まみ.れる) when 塗 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (13画): At 13 strokes, 塗 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 13 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 土 (つち (earth))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 13 strokes under radical 土.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 塗
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 塗 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 塗 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 塗 ("paint, plaster, daub, smear, coating") is written with 13 strokes (13画) as a JLPT N2 (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 13 strokes, 塗 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 13 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 塗?
For 塗 (JLPT N2), the Onyomi is ト and the Kunyomi is ぬ.る, ぬ.り, まみ.れる. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ト) when 塗 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ぬ.る, ぬ.り, まみ.れる) when 塗 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 塗 includes 塗る (ぬる (nuru) — paint), 塗り (ぬり (nuri) — paint).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 塗 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 13 strokes of 塗 (paint, plaster, daub, smear, coating), 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 塗 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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