How to Write 敗 (failure, defeat, reversal) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 11-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) character 敗 (“failure, defeat, reversal”), indexed under the 攴 (ぼくづくり (strike)) radical. Practice 敗 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 敗れる (やぶれる (yabureru) — failure).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (敗)
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 4 (小学4年生) (JLPT N3). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ハイ) when 敗 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (やぶ.れる) when 敗 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (11画): Written with 11 strokes, 敗 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 9 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 攴 (ぼくづくり (strike))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 11 strokes under radical 攴.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 敗
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 敗 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 敗 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 敗 ("failure, defeat, reversal") is written with 11 strokes (11画) as a JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 攴 (ぼくづくり (strike)) radical. Written with 11 strokes, 敗 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 9 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 敗?
For 敗 (JLPT N3), the Onyomi is ハイ and the Kunyomi is やぶ.れる. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ハイ) when 敗 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (やぶ.れる) when 敗 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 敗 includes 敗れる (やぶれる (yabureru) — failure).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 敗 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 11 strokes of 敗 (failure, defeat, reversal), 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 敗 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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