How to Write 来 (come, due, next) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 7-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N5 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) character 来 (“come, due, next”), indexed under the 木 (き (tree)) radical. Practice 来 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 来る (くる (kuru) — to come), 来週 (らいしゅう (raishuu) — next week), 将来 (しょうらい (shourai) — future).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (来)
Primary Radical (部首): 木 — き (tree)
Radical Position: Left (Hen / 偏) (偏 (Hen))
Semantic Theme: Trees, plants, wooden artifacts, and forest nature
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生) (JLPT N5). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ライ) when 来 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (く.る, きた.る, き.たる) when 来 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (7画): Written with 7 strokes, 来 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 木 (き (tree)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position). Establish the 木 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 5 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 木 (き (tree))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 7 strokes under radical 木.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 来
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 来 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 来 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 来 ("come, due, next") is written with 7 strokes (7画) as a JLPT N5 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 木 (き (tree)) radical. Written with 7 strokes, 来 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 木 (き (tree)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position). Establish the 木 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 5 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 来?
For 来 (JLPT N5), the Onyomi is ライ and the Kunyomi is く.る, きた.る, き.たる. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ライ) when 来 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (く.る, きた.る, き.たる) when 来 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 来 includes 来る (くる (kuru) — to come), 来週 (らいしゅう (raishuu) — next week), 将来 (しょうらい (shourai) — future).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 来 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 7 strokes of 来 (come, due, next), start with the 木 (き (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 来 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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