How to Write 方 (direction, person, alternative) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 4-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) character 方 (“direction, person, alternative”), indexed under the 方 (ほう (direction)) radical. Practice 方 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 方 (かた (kata) — direction), 方 (かた (kata) — direction).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (方)
Primary Radical (部首): 方 — ほう (direction)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 方
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生) (JLPT N4). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ホウ) when 方 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (かた, -かた, -がた) when 方 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (4画): With only 4 strokes, 方 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 方 (ほう (direction)) 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: 方 (ほう (direction))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 4 strokes under radical 方.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 方
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 方 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 方 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 方 ("direction, person, alternative") is written with 4 strokes (4画) as a JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) foundational low-stroke shape (1–5 strokes) indexed under the 方 (ほう (direction)) radical. With only 4 strokes, 方 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 方 (ほう (direction)) 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 方?
For 方 (JLPT N4), the Onyomi is ホウ and the Kunyomi is かた, -かた, -がた. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ホウ) when 方 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (かた, -かた, -がた) when 方 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 方 includes 方 (かた (kata) — direction), 方 (かた (kata) — direction).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 方 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 4 strokes of 方 (direction, person, alternative), start with the 方 (ほう (direction)) 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 方 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N4 Characters to Practice Next
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