How to Write 志 (intention, plan, resolve, aspire, motive) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 7-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 5 (小学5年生)) character 志 (“intention, plan, resolve, aspire, motive”), indexed under the 心 (こころ / りっしんべん (heart)) radical. Practice 志 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 志 (シリング (シリング) — intention), 志す (こころざす (kokorozasu) — intention).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (志)
Primary Radical (部首): 心 — こころ / りっしんべん (heart)
Radical Position: Left (Hen / 偏) (偏 (Hen))
Semantic Theme: Heart, thoughts, emotions, and psychological states
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 5 (小学5年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (シ) when 志 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (シリング, こころざ.す, こころざし) when 志 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (7画): Written with 7 strokes, 志 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 心 (こころ / りっしんべん (heart)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position). Establish the 心 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 5 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 心 (こころ / りっしんべん (heart))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 7 strokes under radical 心.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 志
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 志 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 志 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 志 ("intention, plan, resolve, aspire, motive") is written with 7 strokes (7画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 5 (小学5年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 心 (こころ / りっしんべん (heart)) radical. Written with 7 strokes, 志 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 心 (こころ / りっしんべん (heart)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position). Establish the 心 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 5 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 志?
For 志 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is シ and the Kunyomi is シリング, こころざ.す, こころざし. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (シ) when 志 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (シリング, こころざ.す, こころざし) when 志 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 志 includes 志 (シリング (シリング) — intention), 志す (こころざす (kokorozasu) — intention).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 志 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 7 strokes of 志 (intention, plan, resolve, aspire, motive), start with the 心 (こころ / りっしんべん (heart)) in the Left (Hen / 偏) (偏 (Hen)) 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 志 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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