How to Write 時 (time, hour) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 10-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N5 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) character 時 (“time, hour”), indexed under the 日 (ひ (sun)) radical. Practice 時 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 時間 (じかん (jikan) — time / hours), 時々 (ときどき (tokidoki) — sometimes), 時計 (とけい (tokei) — clock / watch).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (時)
Primary Radical (部首): 日 — ひ (sun)
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 N5). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ジ) when 時 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (とき, -どき) when 時 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (10画): Written with 10 strokes, 時 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 日 (ひ (sun)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position). Establish the 日 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 8 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
日 (sun/time) + 寺 (phonetic JI)
The sun radical (日) provides the semantic meaning of daylight and time, while 寺 (JI) provides the phonetic sound.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 時
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 時 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 時 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 時 ("time, hour") is written with 10 strokes (10画) as a JLPT N5 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 日 (ひ (sun)) radical. Written with 10 strokes, 時 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 日 (ひ (sun)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position). Establish the 日 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 8 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 時?
For 時 (JLPT N5), the Onyomi is ジ and the Kunyomi is とき, -どき. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ジ) when 時 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (とき, -どき) when 時 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 時 includes 時間 (じかん (jikan) — time / hours), 時々 (ときどき (tokidoki) — sometimes), 時計 (とけい (tokei) — clock / watch).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 時 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 10 strokes of 時 (time, hour), start with the 日 (ひ (sun)) 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 時 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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