How to Write 斗 (Big Dipper, ten sho (vol), sake dipper, dots and cross radical (no. 68)) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 4-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 斗 (“Big Dipper, ten sho (vol), sake dipper, dots and cross radical (no. 68)”), indexed under the 斗 (とます (dipper)) radical. Practice 斗 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 斗 (ト / と (to) — Big Dipper).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (斗)
Primary Radical (部首): 斗 — とます (dipper)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 斗
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N1). 斗 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ト, トウ) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (4画): With only 4 strokes, 斗 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 斗 (とます (dipper)) structure (Standalone / Integrated position) cleanly around the center intersection and finish terminal strokes with crisp tome (stop) or harai (sweep) release.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 斗 (とます (dipper))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 4 strokes under radical 斗.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 斗
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 斗 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 斗 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 斗 ("Big Dipper, ten sho (vol), sake dipper, dots and cross radical (no. 68)") is written with 4 strokes (4画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) foundational low-stroke shape (1–5 strokes) indexed under the 斗 (とます (dipper)) radical. With only 4 strokes, 斗 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 斗 (とます (dipper)) structure (Standalone / Integrated position) cleanly around the center intersection and finish terminal strokes with crisp tome (stop) or harai (sweep) release.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 斗?
For 斗 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is ト, トウ and the Kunyomi is —. 斗 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ト, トウ) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 斗 includes 斗 (ト / と (to) — Big Dipper).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 斗 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 4 strokes of 斗 (Big Dipper, ten sho (vol), sake dipper, dots and cross radical (no. 68)), start with the 斗 (とます (dipper)) in the Standalone / Integrated (部首) 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 斗 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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