How to Write 待 (wait, depend on) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 9-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) character 待 (“wait, depend on”), indexed under the 彳 (ぎょうにんべん (step/action)) radical. Practice 待 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 待つ (まつ (matsu) — wait), 待ち (まち (machi) — wait).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (待)
Primary Radical (部首): 彳 — ぎょうにんべん (step/action)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 彳
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生) (JLPT N4). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (タイ) when 待 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ま.つ, -ま.ち) when 待 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (9画): Written with 9 strokes, 待 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 彳 (ぎょうにんべん (step/action)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 彳 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 7 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
彳 (meaning) + 寺 (sound ジ)
Derived from the meaning radical 彳 (ぎょうにんべん (step/action)) and the phonetic component 寺, giving the on-reading ジ / シ.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 待
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 待 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 待 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 待 ("wait, depend on") is written with 9 strokes (9画) as a JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 彳 (ぎょうにんべん (step/action)) radical. Written with 9 strokes, 待 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 彳 (ぎょうにんべん (step/action)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 彳 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 7 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 待?
For 待 (JLPT N4), the Onyomi is タイ and the Kunyomi is ま.つ, -ま.ち. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (タイ) when 待 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ま.つ, -ま.ち) when 待 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 待 includes 待つ (まつ (matsu) — wait), 待ち (まち (machi) — wait).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 待 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 9 strokes of 待 (wait, depend on), start with the 彳 (ぎょうにんべん (step/action)) 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 待 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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