How to Write 意 (idea, mind, heart, taste, thought) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 13-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) character 意 (“idea, mind, heart, taste, thought”), indexed under the 心 (こころ / りっしんべん (heart)) radical. Practice 意 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 意 (イ / い (i) — idea).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (意)
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 3 (小学3年生) (JLPT N4). 意 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (イ) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (13画): At 13 strokes, 意 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 心 (こころ / りっしんべん (heart)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 13 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 心 (こころ / りっしんべん (heart))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 13 strokes under radical 心.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 意
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 意 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 意 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 意 ("idea, mind, heart, taste, thought") is written with 13 strokes (13画) as a JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 心 (こころ / りっしんべん (heart)) radical. At 13 strokes, 意 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 心 (こころ / りっしんべん (heart)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 13 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 意?
For 意 (JLPT N4), the Onyomi is イ and the Kunyomi is —. 意 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (イ) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 意 includes 意 (イ / い (i) — idea).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 意 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 13 strokes of 意 (idea, mind, heart, taste, thought), 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 意 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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