How to Write 智 (wisdom, intellect, reason) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 12-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 9 (小学9年生)) character 智 (“wisdom, intellect, reason”), indexed under the 日 (ひ / にち (sun/day)) radical. Practice 智 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 智 (チ / ち (chi) — wisdom).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (智)
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 9 (小学9年生) (JLPT N1). 智 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (チ) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (12画): At 12 strokes, 智 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 日 (ひ / にち (sun/day)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 12 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 日 (ひ / にち (sun/day))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 12 strokes under radical 日.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 智
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 智 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 智 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 智 ("wisdom, intellect, reason") is written with 12 strokes (12画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 9 (小学9年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 日 (ひ / にち (sun/day)) radical. At 12 strokes, 智 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 日 (ひ / にち (sun/day)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 12 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 智?
For 智 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is チ and the Kunyomi is —. 智 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (チ) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 智 includes 智 (チ / ち (chi) — wisdom).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 智 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 12 strokes of 智 (wisdom, intellect, reason), 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 智 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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