How to Write 操 (maneuver, manipulate, operate, steer, chastity) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 16-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生)) character 操 (“maneuver, manipulate, operate, steer, chastity”), indexed under the 手 (て / てへん (hand)) radical. Practice 操 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 操 (みさお (misao) — maneuver), 操る (あやつる (ayatsuru) — maneuver).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (操)
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 6 (小学6年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ソウ, サン) when 操 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (みさお, あやつ.る) when 操 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (16画): At 16 strokes, 操 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 操
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 操 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 操 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 操 ("maneuver, manipulate, operate, steer, chastity") is written with 16 strokes (16画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 手 (て / てへん (hand)) radical. At 16 strokes, 操 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 操?
For 操 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is ソウ, サン and the Kunyomi is みさお, あやつ.る. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ソウ, サン) when 操 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (みさお, あやつ.る) when 操 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 操 includes 操 (みさお (misao) — maneuver), 操る (あやつる (ayatsuru) — maneuver).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 操 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 16 strokes of 操 (maneuver, manipulate, operate, steer, chastity), 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 操 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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