How to Write 弱 (weak, frail) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 10-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) character 弱 (“weak, frail”), indexed under the 弓 (ゆみ (bow)) radical. Practice 弱 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 弱い (よわい (yowai) — weak), 弱る (よわる (yowaru) — weak).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (弱)
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 N2). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ジャク) when 弱 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (よわ.い, よわ.る, よわ.まる, よわ.める) when 弱 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (10画): Written with 10 strokes, 弱 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 8 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 10 strokes under radical 弓.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 弱
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 弱 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 弱 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 弱 ("weak, frail") is written with 10 strokes (10画) as a JLPT N2 (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 10 strokes, 弱 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 8 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 弱?
For 弱 (JLPT N2), the Onyomi is ジャク and the Kunyomi is よわ.い, よわ.る, よわ.まる, よわ.める. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ジャク) when 弱 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (よわ.い, よわ.る, よわ.まる, よわ.める) when 弱 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 弱 includes 弱い (よわい (yowai) — weak), 弱る (よわる (yowaru) — weak).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 弱 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 10 strokes of 弱 (weak, frail), 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 弱 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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