How to Write 星 (star, spot, dot, mark) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 9-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) character 星 (“star, spot, dot, mark”), indexed under the 日 (ひ / にち (sun/day)) radical. Practice 星 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 星 (ほし (hoshi) — star), 星 (ぼし (boshi) — star).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (星)
Primary Radical (部首): 日 — ひ / にち (sun/day)
Radical Position: Left (Hen / 偏) (偏 (Hen))
Semantic Theme: Sun, daylight, time, brightness, and warmth
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生) (JLPT N2). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (セイ, ショウ) when 星 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ほし, -ぼし) when 星 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (9画): Written with 9 strokes, 星 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 日 (ひ / にち (sun/day)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position). Establish the 日 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 7 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
日 (meaning) + 生 (sound セイ)
Derived from the meaning radical 日 (ひ / にち (sun/day)) and the phonetic component 生, giving the on-reading セイ / ショウ.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 星
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 星 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 星 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 星 ("star, spot, dot, mark") is written with 9 strokes (9画) as a JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 日 (ひ / にち (sun/day)) radical. Written with 9 strokes, 星 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 日 (ひ / にち (sun/day)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position). Establish the 日 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 7 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 星?
For 星 (JLPT N2), the Onyomi is セイ, ショウ and the Kunyomi is ほし, -ぼし. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (セイ, ショウ) when 星 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ほし, -ぼし) when 星 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 星 includes 星 (ほし (hoshi) — star), 星 (ぼし (boshi) — star).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 星 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 9 strokes of 星 (star, spot, dot, mark), start with the 日 (ひ / にち (sun/day)) 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 星 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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