How to Write 弾 (bullet, twang, flip, snap) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 12-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 弾 (“bullet, twang, flip, snap”), indexed under the 弓 (ゆみ (bow)) radical. Practice 弾 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 弾く (ひく (hiku) — bullet), 弾き (ひき (hiki) — bullet).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (弾)
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 (ダン, タン) when 弾 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ひ.く, -ひ.き, はず.む, たま, はじ.く, はじ.ける, ただ.す, はじ.きゆみ) when 弾 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (12画): At 12 strokes, 弾 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 弓 (ゆみ (bow)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 12 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 弓 (ゆみ (bow))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 12 strokes under radical 弓.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 弾
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 弾 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 弾 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 弾 ("bullet, twang, flip, snap") is written with 12 strokes (12画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 弓 (ゆみ (bow)) radical. At 12 strokes, 弾 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 弓 (ゆみ (bow)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 12 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 弾?
For 弾 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is ダン, タン and the Kunyomi is ひ.く, -ひ.き, はず.む, たま, はじ.く, はじ.ける, ただ.す, はじ.きゆみ. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ダン, タン) when 弾 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ひ.く, -ひ.き, はず.む, たま, はじ.く, はじ.ける, ただ.す, はじ.きゆみ) when 弾 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 弾 includes 弾く (ひく (hiku) — bullet), 弾き (ひき (hiki) — bullet).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 弾 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 12 strokes of 弾 (bullet, twang, flip, snap), 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 弾 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!