How to Write 寅 (sign of the tiger, 3-5AM, third sign of Chinese zodiac) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 11-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 9 (小学9年生)) character 寅 (“sign of the tiger, 3-5AM, third sign of Chinese zodiac”), indexed under the 宀 (うかんむり (roof)) radical. Practice 寅 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 寅 (とら (tora) — sign of the tiger).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (寅)
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 9 (小学9年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (イン) when 寅 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (とら) when 寅 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (11画): Written with 11 strokes, 寅 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 9 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 11 strokes under radical 宀.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 寅
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 寅 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 寅 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 寅 ("sign of the tiger, 3-5AM, third sign of Chinese zodiac") is written with 11 strokes (11画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 9 (小学9年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 宀 (うかんむり (roof)) radical. Written with 11 strokes, 寅 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 9 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 寅?
For 寅 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is イン and the Kunyomi is とら. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (イン) when 寅 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (とら) when 寅 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 寅 includes 寅 (とら (tora) — sign of the tiger).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 寅 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 11 strokes of 寅 (sign of the tiger, 3-5AM, third sign of Chinese zodiac), 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 寅 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N1 Characters to Practice Next
View Full JLPT N1 Kanji List →Unlock All 2,000+ JLPT N5–N1 Kanji, AI Sensei & Unlimited Genkō Yōshi PDF Books
Get lifetime access to all 2,136 Jōyō Kanji (JLPT N5–N1), AI Kanji Sensei mnemonics, and unlimited Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheets for a one-time payment of $17.99 USD (10% OFF the $19.99 Lifetime Pro Pass with promo code KANJI10). Zero monthly subscriptions!