How to Write 弔 (condolences, mourning, funeral) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 4-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 弔 (“condolences, mourning, funeral”), indexed under the 弓 (ゆみ (bow)) radical. Practice 弔 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 弔う (とむらう (tomurau) — condolences), 弔う (とぶらう (toburau) — condolences).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (弔)
Primary Radical (部首): 弓 — ゆみ (bow)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 弓
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (チョウ) when 弔 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (とむら.う, とぶら.う) when 弔 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (4画): With only 4 strokes, 弔 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 弓 (ゆみ (bow)) structure (Standalone / Integrated position) cleanly around the center intersection and finish terminal strokes with crisp tome (stop) or harai (sweep) release.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 弓 (ゆみ (bow))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 4 strokes under radical 弓.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 弔
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 弔 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 弔 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 弔 ("condolences, mourning, funeral") is written with 4 strokes (4画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) foundational low-stroke shape (1–5 strokes) indexed under the 弓 (ゆみ (bow)) radical. With only 4 strokes, 弔 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 弓 (ゆみ (bow)) structure (Standalone / Integrated position) cleanly around the center intersection and finish terminal strokes with crisp tome (stop) or harai (sweep) release.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 弔?
For 弔 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is チョウ and the Kunyomi is とむら.う, とぶら.う. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (チョウ) when 弔 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (とむら.う, とぶら.う) when 弔 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 弔 includes 弔う (とむらう (tomurau) — condolences), 弔う (とぶらう (toburau) — condolences).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 弔 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 4 strokes of 弔 (condolences, mourning, funeral), start with the 弓 (ゆみ (bow)) 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 弔 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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