How to Write 弟 (younger brother, faithful service to elders) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 7-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) character 弟 (“younger brother, faithful service to elders”), indexed under the 弓 (ゆみ (bow)) radical. Practice 弟 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 弟 (おとうと (otouto) — younger brother).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (弟)
Primary Radical (部首): 弓 — ゆみ (bow)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 弓
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生) (JLPT N4). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (テイ, ダイ, デ) when 弟 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (おとうと) when 弟 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (7画): Written with 7 strokes, 弟 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 弓 (ゆみ (bow)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 弓 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: 弓 (ゆみ (bow))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 7 strokes under radical 弓.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 弟
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 弟 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 弟 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 弟 ("younger brother, faithful service to elders") is written with 7 strokes (7画) as a JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 弓 (ゆみ (bow)) radical. Written with 7 strokes, 弟 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 弓 (ゆみ (bow)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 弓 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 弟?
For 弟 (JLPT N4), the Onyomi is テイ, ダイ, デ and the Kunyomi is おとうと. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (テイ, ダイ, デ) when 弟 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (おとうと) when 弟 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 弟 includes 弟 (おとうと (otouto) — younger brother).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 弟 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 7 strokes of 弟 (younger brother, faithful service to elders), 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 弟 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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