How to Write 捜 (search, look for, locate) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 10-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 捜 (“search, look for, locate”), indexed under the 手 (て / てへん (hand)) radical. Practice 捜 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 捜す (さがす (sagasu) — search).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (捜)
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 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N2). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ソウ, シュ, シュウ) when 捜 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (さが.す) when 捜 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (10画): Written with 10 strokes, 捜 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 8 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 10 strokes under radical 手.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 捜
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 捜 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 捜 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 捜 ("search, look for, locate") is written with 10 strokes (10画) as a JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 手 (て / てへん (hand)) radical. Written with 10 strokes, 捜 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 8 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 捜?
For 捜 (JLPT N2), the Onyomi is ソウ, シュ, シュウ and the Kunyomi is さが.す. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ソウ, シュ, シュウ) when 捜 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (さが.す) when 捜 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 捜 includes 捜す (さがす (sagasu) — search).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 捜 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 10 strokes of 捜 (search, look for, locate), 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 捜 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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