How to Write 思 (think) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 9-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) character 思 (“think”), indexed under the 心 (こころ / りっしんべん (heart)) radical. Practice 思 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 思う (おもう (omou) — think), 思く (おもえらく (omoeraku) — think).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (思)
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 2 (小学2年生) (JLPT N4). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (シ) when 思 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (おも.う, おもえら.く, おぼ.す) when 思 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (9画): Written with 9 strokes, 思 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 7 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 9 strokes under radical 心.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 思
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 思 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 思 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 思 ("think") is written with 9 strokes (9画) as a JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2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 9 strokes, 思 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 7 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 思?
For 思 (JLPT N4), the Onyomi is シ and the Kunyomi is おも.う, おもえら.く, おぼ.す. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (シ) when 思 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (おも.う, おもえら.く, おぼ.す) when 思 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 思 includes 思う (おもう (omou) — think), 思く (おもえらく (omoeraku) — think).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 思 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 9 strokes of 思 (think), 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 思 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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