How to Write 常 (usual, ordinary, normal, common, regular) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 11-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 5 (小学5年生)) character 常 (“usual, ordinary, normal, common, regular”), indexed under the 巾 (はば (towel)) radical. Practice 常 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 常 (つね (tsune) — usual), 常 (とこ (toko) — usual).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (常)
Primary Radical (部首): 巾 — はば (towel)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 巾
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 5 (小学5年生) (JLPT N3). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ジョウ) when 常 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (つね, とこ-) when 常 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (11画): Written with 11 strokes, 常 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 9 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 11 strokes under radical 巾.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 常
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 常 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 常 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 常 ("usual, ordinary, normal, common, regular") is written with 11 strokes (11画) as a JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 5 (小学5年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 巾 (はば (towel)) radical. Written with 11 strokes, 常 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 9 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 常?
For 常 (JLPT N3), the Onyomi is ジョウ and the Kunyomi is つね, とこ-. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ジョウ) when 常 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (つね, とこ-) when 常 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 常 includes 常 (つね (tsune) — usual), 常 (とこ (toko) — usual).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 常 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 11 strokes of 常 (usual, ordinary, normal, common, regular), 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 常 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N3 Characters to Practice Next
View Full JLPT N3 Kanji List →Unlock All 2,000+ JLPT N5–N1 Kanji, AI Sensei & Unlimited Genkō Yōshi PDF Books
Get lifetime access to all 2,136 Jōyō Kanji (JLPT N5–N1), AI Kanji Sensei mnemonics, and unlimited Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheets for a one-time payment of $17.99 USD (10% OFF the $19.99 Lifetime Pro Pass with promo code KANJI10). Zero monthly subscriptions!