How to Write 影 (shadow, silhouette, phantom) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 15-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 影 (“shadow, silhouette, phantom”), indexed under the 彡 (さんづくり (bristle/hair)) radical. Practice 影 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 影 (かげ (kage) — shadow).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (影)
Primary Radical (部首): 彡 — さんづくり (bristle/hair)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 彡
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (エイ) when 影 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (かげ) when 影 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (15画): At 15 strokes, 影 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 彡 (さんづくり (bristle/hair)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 15 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 彡 (さんづくり (bristle/hair))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 15 strokes under radical 彡.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 影
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 影 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 影 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 影 ("shadow, silhouette, phantom") is written with 15 strokes (15画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 彡 (さんづくり (bristle/hair)) radical. At 15 strokes, 影 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 彡 (さんづくり (bristle/hair)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 15 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 影?
For 影 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is エイ and the Kunyomi is かげ. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (エイ) when 影 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (かげ) when 影 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 影 includes 影 (かげ (kage) — shadow).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 影 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 15 strokes of 影 (shadow, silhouette, phantom), start with the 彡 (さんづくり (bristle/hair)) 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 影 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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