How to Write 寝 (lie down, sleep, rest, bed, remain unsold) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 13-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 寝 (“lie down, sleep, rest, bed, remain unsold”), indexed under the 宀 (うかんむり (roof)) radical. Practice 寝 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 寝る (ねる (neru) — lie down), 寝かす (ねかす (nekasu) — lie down).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (寝)
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 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N3). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (シン) when 寝 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ね.る, ね.かす, い.ぬ, みたまや, や.める) when 寝 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (13画): At 13 strokes, 寝 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 13 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 13 strokes under radical 宀.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 寝
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 寝 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 寝 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 寝 ("lie down, sleep, rest, bed, remain unsold") is written with 13 strokes (13画) as a JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 宀 (うかんむり (roof)) radical. At 13 strokes, 寝 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 13 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 寝?
For 寝 (JLPT N3), the Onyomi is シン and the Kunyomi is ね.る, ね.かす, い.ぬ, みたまや, や.める. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (シン) when 寝 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ね.る, ね.かす, い.ぬ, みたまや, や.める) when 寝 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 寝 includes 寝る (ねる (neru) — lie down), 寝かす (ねかす (nekasu) — lie down).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 寝 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 13 strokes of 寝 (lie down, sleep, rest, bed, remain unsold), 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 寝 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N3 Characters to Practice Next
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