How to Write 折 (fold, break, fracture, bend, yield) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 7-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) character 折 (“fold, break, fracture, bend, yield”), indexed under the 手 (て / てへん (hand)) radical. Practice 折 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 折る (おる (oru) — fold), 折 (おり (ori) — fold).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (折)
Primary Radical (部首): 手 — て / てへん (hand)
Radical Position: Left (Hen / 偏) (偏 (Hen))
Semantic Theme: Hands, holding, grasping, craft, and manual action
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生) (JLPT N3). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (セツ, シャク) when 折 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (お.る, おり, お.り, -お.り, お.れる) when 折 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (7画): Written with 7 strokes, 折 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 手 (て / てへん (hand)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position). Establish the 手 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: 手 (て / てへん (hand))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 7 strokes under radical 手.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 折
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 折 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 折 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 折 ("fold, break, fracture, bend, yield") is written with 7 strokes (7画) as a JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 手 (て / てへん (hand)) radical. Written with 7 strokes, 折 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 手 (て / てへん (hand)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position). Establish the 手 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 折?
For 折 (JLPT N3), the Onyomi is セツ, シャク and the Kunyomi is お.る, おり, お.り, -お.り, お.れる. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (セツ, シャク) when 折 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (お.る, おり, お.り, -お.り, お.れる) when 折 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 折 includes 折る (おる (oru) — fold), 折 (おり (ori) — fold).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 折 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 7 strokes of 折 (fold, break, fracture, bend, yield), start with the 手 (て / てへん (hand)) 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 折 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N3 Characters to Practice Next
View Full JLPT N3 Kanji List →Unlock All 2,000+ JLPT N5–N1 Kanji, AI Sensei & Unlimited Genkō Yōshi PDF Books
Get lifetime access to all 2,136 Jōyō Kanji (JLPT N5–N1), AI Kanji Sensei mnemonics, and unlimited Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheets for a one-time payment of $17.99 USD (10% OFF the $19.99 Lifetime Pro Pass with promo code KANJI10). Zero monthly subscriptions!