How to Write 島 (island) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 10-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) character 島 (“island”), indexed under the 山 (やま (mountain)) radical. Practice 島 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 島 (しま (shima) — island).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (島)
Primary Radical (部首): 山 — やま (mountain)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 山
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生) (JLPT N2). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (トウ) when 島 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (しま) when 島 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (10画): Written with 10 strokes, 島 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 山 (やま (mountain)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 山 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 8 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 山 (やま (mountain))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 10 strokes under radical 山.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 島
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 島 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 島 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 島 ("island") is written with 10 strokes (10画) as a JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 山 (やま (mountain)) radical. Written with 10 strokes, 島 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 山 (やま (mountain)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 山 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 8 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 島?
For 島 (JLPT N2), the Onyomi is トウ and the Kunyomi is しま. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (トウ) when 島 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (しま) when 島 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 島 includes 島 (しま (shima) — island).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 島 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 10 strokes of 島 (island), start with the 山 (やま (mountain)) 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 島 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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