How to Write 害 (harm, injury) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 10-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) character 害 (“harm, injury”), indexed under the 宀 (うかんむり (roof)) radical. Practice 害 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 害 (ガイ / がい (gai) — harm).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (害)
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 4 (小学4年生) (JLPT N3). 害 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ガイ) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (10画): Written with 10 strokes, 害 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 8 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 10 strokes under radical 宀.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 害
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 害 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 害 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 害 ("harm, injury") is written with 10 strokes (10画) as a JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 宀 (うかんむり (roof)) radical. Written with 10 strokes, 害 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 8 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 害?
For 害 (JLPT N3), the Onyomi is ガイ and the Kunyomi is —. 害 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ガイ) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 害 includes 害 (ガイ / がい (gai) — harm).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 害 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 10 strokes of 害 (harm, injury), 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 害 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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