How to Write 寒 (cold) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 12-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) character 寒 (“cold”), indexed under the 宀 (うかんむり (roof)) radical. Practice 寒 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 寒い (さむい (samui) — cold).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (寒)
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 (カン) when 寒 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (さむ.い) when 寒 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (12画): At 12 strokes, 寒 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 宀 (うかんむり (roof)) radical (Top (Kanmuri / 冠) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 12 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 宀 (うかんむり (roof))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 12 strokes under radical 宀.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 寒
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 寒 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 寒 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 寒 ("cold") is written with 12 strokes (12画) as a JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 宀 (うかんむり (roof)) radical. At 12 strokes, 寒 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 宀 (うかんむり (roof)) radical (Top (Kanmuri / 冠) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 12 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 寒?
For 寒 (JLPT N3), the Onyomi is カン and the Kunyomi is さむ.い. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (カン) when 寒 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (さむ.い) when 寒 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 寒 includes 寒い (さむい (samui) — cold).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 寒 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 12 strokes of 寒 (cold), 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 寒 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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