How to Write 朱 (vermilion, cinnabar, scarlet, red, bloody) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 6-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 朱 (“vermilion, cinnabar, scarlet, red, bloody”), indexed under the 木 (き / きへん (tree)) radical. Practice 朱 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 朱 (あけ (ake) — vermilion).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (朱)
Primary Radical (部首): 木 — き / きへん (tree)
Radical Position: Left (Hen / 偏) (偏 (Hen))
Semantic Theme: Trees, plants, wooden artifacts, and forest nature
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (シュ) when 朱 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (あけ) when 朱 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (6画): Written with 6 strokes, 朱 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 木 (き / きへん (tree)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position). Establish the 木 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 4 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 木 (き / きへん (tree))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 6 strokes under radical 木.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 朱
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 朱 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 朱 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 朱 ("vermilion, cinnabar, scarlet, red, bloody") is written with 6 strokes (6画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 木 (き / きへん (tree)) radical. Written with 6 strokes, 朱 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 木 (き / きへん (tree)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position). Establish the 木 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 4 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 朱?
For 朱 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is シュ and the Kunyomi is あけ. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (シュ) when 朱 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (あけ) when 朱 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 朱 includes 朱 (あけ (ake) — vermilion).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 朱 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 6 strokes of 朱 (vermilion, cinnabar, scarlet, red, bloody), start with the 木 (き / きへん (tree)) 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 朱 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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