How to Write 央 (center, middle) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 5-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) character 央 (“center, middle”), indexed under the 大 (だい (big)) radical. Practice 央 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 央 (オウ / おう (ou) — center).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (央)
Primary Radical (部首): 大 — だい (big)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 大
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生) (JLPT N2). 央 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (オウ) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (5画): With only 5 strokes, 央 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 大 (だい (big)) structure (Standalone / Integrated position) cleanly around the center intersection and finish terminal strokes with crisp tome (stop) or harai (sweep) release.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 大 (だい (big))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 5 strokes under radical 大.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 央
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 央 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 央 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 央 ("center, middle") is written with 5 strokes (5画) as a JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) foundational low-stroke shape (1–5 strokes) indexed under the 大 (だい (big)) radical. With only 5 strokes, 央 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 大 (だい (big)) structure (Standalone / Integrated position) cleanly around the center intersection and finish terminal strokes with crisp tome (stop) or harai (sweep) release.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 央?
For 央 (JLPT N2), the Onyomi is オウ and the Kunyomi is —. 央 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (オウ) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 央 includes 央 (オウ / おう (ou) — center).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 央 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 5 strokes of 央 (center, middle), start with the 大 (だい (big)) 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 央 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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