How to Write 尋 (inquire, fathom, look for) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 12-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 尋 (“inquire, fathom, look for”), indexed under the 寸 (すん (inch)) radical. Practice 尋 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 尋ねる (たずねる (tazuneru) — inquire), 尋 (ひろ (hiro) — inquire).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (尋)
Primary Radical (部首): 寸 — すん (inch)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 寸
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ジン) when 尋 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (たず.ねる, ひろ) when 尋 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (12画): At 12 strokes, 尋 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 寸 (すん (inch)) radical (Standalone / Integrated 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: 寸 (すん (inch))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 12 strokes under radical 寸.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 尋
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 尋 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 尋 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 尋 ("inquire, fathom, look for") is written with 12 strokes (12画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 寸 (すん (inch)) radical. At 12 strokes, 尋 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 寸 (すん (inch)) radical (Standalone / Integrated 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 尋?
For 尋 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is ジン and the Kunyomi is たず.ねる, ひろ. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ジン) when 尋 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (たず.ねる, ひろ) when 尋 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 尋 includes 尋ねる (たずねる (tazuneru) — inquire), 尋 (ひろ (hiro) — inquire).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 尋 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 12 strokes of 尋 (inquire, fathom, look for), start with the 寸 (すん (inch)) in the Standalone / Integrated (部首) 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 尋 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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