How to Write 孝 (filial piety, child's respect) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 7-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生)) character 孝 (“filial piety, child's respect”), indexed under the 子 (こ (child)) radical. Practice 孝 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 孝 (コウ / こう (kou) — filial piety).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (孝)
Primary Radical (部首): 子 — こ (child)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 子
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生) (JLPT N1). 孝 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (コウ, キョウ) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (7画): Written with 7 strokes, 孝 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 子 (こ (child)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 子 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 5 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 子 (こ (child))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 7 strokes under radical 子.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 孝
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 孝 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 孝 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 孝 ("filial piety, child's respect") is written with 7 strokes (7画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 子 (こ (child)) radical. Written with 7 strokes, 孝 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 子 (こ (child)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 子 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 5 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 孝?
For 孝 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is コウ, キョウ and the Kunyomi is —. 孝 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (コウ, キョウ) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 孝 includes 孝 (コウ / こう (kou) — filial piety).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 孝 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 7 strokes of 孝 (filial piety, child's respect), start with the 子 (こ (child)) 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 孝 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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