How to Write 弦 (bowstring, chord, hypotenuse) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 8-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 弦 (“bowstring, chord, hypotenuse”), indexed under the 弓 (ゆみ (bow)) radical. Practice 弦 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 弦 (つる (tsuru) — bowstring).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (弦)
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 (ゲン) when 弦 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (つる) when 弦 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (8画): Written with 8 strokes, 弦 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 6 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 8 strokes under radical 弓.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 弦
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 弦 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 弦 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 弦 ("bowstring, chord, hypotenuse") is written with 8 strokes (8画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 弓 (ゆみ (bow)) radical. Written with 8 strokes, 弦 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 6 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 弦?
For 弦 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is ゲン and the Kunyomi is つる. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ゲン) when 弦 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (つる) when 弦 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 弦 includes 弦 (つる (tsuru) — bowstring).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 弦 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 8 strokes of 弦 (bowstring, chord, hypotenuse), 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 弦 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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