How to Write 契 (pledge, promise, vow) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 9-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 契 (“pledge, promise, vow”), indexed under the 大 (だい (big)) radical. Practice 契 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 契る (ちぎる (chigiru) — pledge).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (契)
Primary Radical (部首): 大 — だい (big)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 大
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ケイ) when 契 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ちぎ.る) when 契 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (9画): Written with 9 strokes, 契 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 大 (だい (big)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 大 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 7 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 大 (だい (big))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 9 strokes under radical 大.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 契
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 契 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 契 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 契 ("pledge, promise, vow") is written with 9 strokes (9画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 大 (だい (big)) radical. Written with 9 strokes, 契 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 大 (だい (big)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 大 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 7 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 契?
For 契 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is ケイ and the Kunyomi is ちぎ.る. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ケイ) when 契 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ちぎ.る) when 契 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 契 includes 契る (ちぎる (chigiru) — pledge).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 契 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 9 strokes of 契 (pledge, promise, vow), 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 契 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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