How to Write 当 (hit, right, appropriate, himself) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 6-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) character 当 (“hit, right, appropriate, himself”), indexed under the 彐 (けいがしら (snout)) radical. Practice 当 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 当たる (あたる (ataru) — hit), 当たり (あたり (atari) — hit).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (当)
Primary Radical (部首): 彐 — けいがしら (snout)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 彐
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生) (JLPT N3). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (トウ) when 当 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (あ.たる, あ.たり, あ.てる, あ.て, まさ.に, まさ.にべし) when 当 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (6画): Written with 6 strokes, 当 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 彐 (けいがしら (snout)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 彐 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 4 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 彐 (けいがしら (snout))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 6 strokes under radical 彐.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 当
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 当 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 当 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 当 ("hit, right, appropriate, himself") is written with 6 strokes (6画) as a JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 彐 (けいがしら (snout)) radical. Written with 6 strokes, 当 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 彐 (けいがしら (snout)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 彐 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 4 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 当?
For 当 (JLPT N3), the Onyomi is トウ and the Kunyomi is あ.たる, あ.たり, あ.てる, あ.て, まさ.に, まさ.にべし. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (トウ) when 当 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (あ.たる, あ.たり, あ.てる, あ.て, まさ.に, まさ.にべし) when 当 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 当 includes 当たる (あたる (ataru) — hit), 当たり (あたり (atari) — hit).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 当 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 6 strokes of 当 (hit, right, appropriate, himself), start with the 彐 (けいがしら (snout)) 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 当 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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