How to Write 建 (build) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 9-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) character 建 (“build”), indexed under the 廴 (えんにょう (long stride)) radical. Practice 建 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 建てる (たてる (tateru) — build), 建て (たて (tate) — build).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (建)
Primary Radical (部首): 廴 — えんにょう (long stride)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 廴
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生) (JLPT N4). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ケン, コン) when 建 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (た.てる, た.て, -だ.て, た.つ) when 建 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (9画): Written with 9 strokes, 建 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 廴 (えんにょう (long stride)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 廴 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 7 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 廴 (えんにょう (long stride))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 9 strokes under radical 廴.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 建
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 建 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 建 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 建 ("build") is written with 9 strokes (9画) as a JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 廴 (えんにょう (long stride)) radical. Written with 9 strokes, 建 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 廴 (えんにょう (long stride)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 廴 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 7 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 建?
For 建 (JLPT N4), the Onyomi is ケン, コン and the Kunyomi is た.てる, た.て, -だ.て, た.つ. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ケン, コン) when 建 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (た.てる, た.て, -だ.て, た.つ) when 建 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 建 includes 建てる (たてる (tateru) — build), 建て (たて (tate) — build).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 建 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 9 strokes of 建 (build), start with the 廴 (えんにょう (long stride)) 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 建 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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