How to Write 弐 (II, two, second) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 6-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 弐 (“II, two, second”), indexed under the 弋 (しきがまえ (shoot)) radical. Practice 弐 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 弐つ (ふたつ (futatsu) — II), 弐 (そえ (soe) — II).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (弐)
Primary Radical (部首): 弋 — しきがまえ (shoot)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 弋
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ニ, ジ) when 弐 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ふた.つ, そえ) when 弐 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (6画): Written with 6 strokes, 弐 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 弋 (しきがまえ (shoot)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 弋 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 4 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 弋 (しきがまえ (shoot))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 6 strokes under radical 弋.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 弐
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 弐 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 弐 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 弐 ("II, two, second") is written with 6 strokes (6画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 弋 (しきがまえ (shoot)) radical. Written with 6 strokes, 弐 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 弋 (しきがまえ (shoot)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 弋 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 4 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 弐?
For 弐 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is ニ, ジ and the Kunyomi is ふた.つ, そえ. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ニ, ジ) when 弐 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ふた.つ, そえ) when 弐 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 弐 includes 弐つ (ふたつ (futatsu) — II), 弐 (そえ (soe) — II).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 弐 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 6 strokes of 弐 (II, two, second), start with the 弋 (しきがまえ (shoot)) 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 弐 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N1 Characters to Practice Next
View Full JLPT N1 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!