How to Write 定 (determine, fix, establish, decide) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 8-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) character 定 (“determine, fix, establish, decide”), indexed under the 宀 (うかんむり (roof)) radical. Practice 定 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 定める (さだめる (sadameru) — determine), 定まる (さだまる (sadamaru) — determine).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (定)
Primary Radical (部首): 宀 — うかんむり (roof)
Radical Position: Top (Kanmuri / 冠) (冠 (Kanmuri))
Semantic Theme: Roofs, buildings, houses, shelter, and enclosures
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生) (JLPT N3). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (テイ, ジョウ) when 定 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (さだ.める, さだ.まる, さだ.か) when 定 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (8画): Written with 8 strokes, 定 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 宀 (うかんむり (roof)) radical (Top (Kanmuri / 冠) position). Establish the 宀 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 6 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 宀 (うかんむり (roof))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 8 strokes under radical 宀.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 定
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 定 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 定 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 定 ("determine, fix, establish, decide") is written with 8 strokes (8画) as a JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 宀 (うかんむり (roof)) radical. Written with 8 strokes, 定 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 宀 (うかんむり (roof)) radical (Top (Kanmuri / 冠) position). Establish the 宀 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 6 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 定?
For 定 (JLPT N3), the Onyomi is テイ, ジョウ and the Kunyomi is さだ.める, さだ.まる, さだ.か. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (テイ, ジョウ) when 定 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (さだ.める, さだ.まる, さだ.か) when 定 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 定 includes 定める (さだめる (sadameru) — determine), 定まる (さだまる (sadamaru) — determine).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 定 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 8 strokes of 定 (determine, fix, establish, decide), start with the 宀 (うかんむり (roof)) in the Top (Kanmuri / 冠) (冠 (Kanmuri)) 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 定 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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