How to Write 擁 (hug, embrace, possess, protect, lead) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 16-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 擁 (“hug, embrace, possess, protect, lead”), indexed under the 手 (て / てへん (hand)) radical. Practice 擁 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 擁 (ヨウ / よう (you) — hug).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (擁)
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 N1). 擁 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ヨウ) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (16画): At 16 strokes, 擁 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 手 (て / てへん (hand)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 16 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 手 (て / てへん (hand))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 16 strokes under radical 手.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 擁
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 擁 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 擁 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 擁 ("hug, embrace, possess, protect, lead") is written with 16 strokes (16画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 手 (て / てへん (hand)) radical. At 16 strokes, 擁 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 手 (て / てへん (hand)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 16 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 擁?
For 擁 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is ヨウ and the Kunyomi is —. 擁 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ヨウ) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 擁 includes 擁 (ヨウ / よう (you) — hug).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 擁 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 16 strokes of 擁 (hug, embrace, possess, protect, lead), 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 擁 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N1 Characters to Practice Next
View Full JLPT N1 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!