How to Write 放 (set free, release, fire, shoot, emit) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 8-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) character 放 (“set free, release, fire, shoot, emit”), indexed under the 攴 (ぼくづくり (strike)) radical. Practice 放 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 放す (はなす (hanasu) — set free), 放し (っぱなし (ppanashi) — set free).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (放)
Primary Radical (部首): 攴 — ぼくづくり (strike)
Radical Position: Right (Tsukuri / 旁) (旁 (Tsukuri))
Semantic Theme: Tapping, governing, discipline, and intentional action
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生) (JLPT N3). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ホウ) when 放 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (はな.す, -っぱな.し, はな.つ, はな.れる, こ.く, ほう.る) when 放 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (8画): Written with 8 strokes, 放 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 攴 (ぼくづくり (strike)) radical (Right (Tsukuri / 旁) position). Establish the 攴 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 6 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
攴 (meaning) + 方 (sound ホウ)
Derived from the meaning radical 攴 (ぼくづくり (strike)) and the phonetic component 方, giving the on-reading ホウ.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 放
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 放 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 放 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 放 ("set free, release, fire, shoot, emit") is written with 8 strokes (8画) as a JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 攴 (ぼくづくり (strike)) radical. Written with 8 strokes, 放 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 攴 (ぼくづくり (strike)) radical (Right (Tsukuri / 旁) position). Establish the 攴 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 6 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 放?
For 放 (JLPT N3), the Onyomi is ホウ and the Kunyomi is はな.す, -っぱな.し, はな.つ, はな.れる, こ.く, ほう.る. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ホウ) when 放 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (はな.す, -っぱな.し, はな.つ, はな.れる, こ.く, ほう.る) when 放 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 放 includes 放す (はなす (hanasu) — set free), 放し (っぱなし (ppanashi) — set free).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 放 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 8 strokes of 放 (set free, release, fire, shoot, emit), start with the 攴 (ぼくづくり (strike)) in the Right (Tsukuri / 旁) (旁 (Tsukuri)) 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 放 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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