How to Write 寡 (widow, minority, few) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 14-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 寡 (“widow, minority, few”), indexed under the 宀 (うかんむり (roof)) radical. Practice 寡 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 寡 (カ / か (ka) — widow).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (寡)
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 N1). 寡 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (カ) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (14画): At 14 strokes, 寡 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 14 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 14 strokes under radical 宀.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 寡
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 寡 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 寡 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 寡 ("widow, minority, few") is written with 14 strokes (14画) as a JLPT N1 (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 14 strokes, 寡 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 14 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 寡?
For 寡 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is カ and the Kunyomi is —. 寡 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (カ) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 寡 includes 寡 (カ / か (ka) — widow).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 寡 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 14 strokes of 寡 (widow, minority, few), 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 寡 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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