How to Write 夏 (summer) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 10-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) character 夏 (“summer”), indexed under the 夊 (すいにょう (slow walk)) radical. Practice 夏 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 夏 (なつ (natsu) — summer).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (夏)
Primary Radical (部首): 夊 — すいにょう (slow walk)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 夊
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生) (JLPT N4). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (カ, ガ, ゲ) when 夏 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (なつ) when 夏 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (10画): Written with 10 strokes, 夏 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 夊 (すいにょう (slow walk)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 夊 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 8 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 夊 (すいにょう (slow walk))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 10 strokes under radical 夊.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 夏
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 夏 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 夏 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 夏 ("summer") is written with 10 strokes (10画) as a JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 夊 (すいにょう (slow walk)) radical. Written with 10 strokes, 夏 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 夊 (すいにょう (slow walk)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 夊 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 8 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 夏?
For 夏 (JLPT N4), the Onyomi is カ, ガ, ゲ and the Kunyomi is なつ. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (カ, ガ, ゲ) when 夏 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (なつ) when 夏 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 夏 includes 夏 (なつ (natsu) — summer).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 夏 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 10 strokes of 夏 (summer), start with the 夊 (すいにょう (slow walk)) in the Standalone / Integrated (部首) 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 夏 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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