How to Write 希 (hope, beg, request, pray, beseech) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 7-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) character 希 (“hope, beg, request, pray, beseech”), indexed under the 巾 (はば (towel)) radical. Practice 希 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 希 (まれ (mare) — hope), 希う (こいねがう (koinegau) — hope).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (希)
Primary Radical (部首): 巾 — はば (towel)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 巾
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生) (JLPT N2). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (キ, ケ) when 希 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (まれ, こいねが.う) when 希 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (7画): Written with 7 strokes, 希 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 巾 (はば (towel)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 巾 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 5 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 巾 (はば (towel))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 7 strokes under radical 巾.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 希
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 希 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 希 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 希 ("hope, beg, request, pray, beseech") is written with 7 strokes (7画) as a JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 巾 (はば (towel)) radical. Written with 7 strokes, 希 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 巾 (はば (towel)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 巾 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 5 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 希?
For 希 (JLPT N2), the Onyomi is キ, ケ and the Kunyomi is まれ, こいねが.う. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (キ, ケ) when 希 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (まれ, こいねが.う) when 希 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 希 includes 希 (まれ (mare) — hope), 希う (こいねがう (koinegau) — hope).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 希 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 7 strokes of 希 (hope, beg, request, pray, beseech), start with the 巾 (はば (towel)) 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 希 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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