How to Write 従 (accompany, obey, submit to, comply, follow) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 10-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生)) character 従 (“accompany, obey, submit to, comply, follow”), indexed under the 彳 (ぎょうにんべん (step/action)) radical. Practice 従 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 従う (したがう (shitagau) — accompany), 従える (したがえる (shitagaeru) — accompany).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (従)
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 6 (小学6年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ジュウ, ショウ, ジュ) when 従 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (したが.う, したが.える, より) when 従 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (10画): Written with 10 strokes, 従 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 8 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 彳 (ぎょうにんべん (step/action))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 10 strokes under radical 彳.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 従
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 従 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 従 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 従 ("accompany, obey, submit to, comply, follow") is written with 10 strokes (10画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6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 10 strokes, 従 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 8 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 従?
For 従 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is ジュウ, ショウ, ジュ and the Kunyomi is したが.う, したが.える, より. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ジュウ, ショウ, ジュ) when 従 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (したが.う, したが.える, より) when 従 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 従 includes 従う (したがう (shitagau) — accompany), 従える (したがえる (shitagaeru) — accompany).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 従 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 10 strokes of 従 (accompany, obey, submit to, comply, follow), 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 従 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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