How to Write 査 (investigate) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 9-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 5 (小学5年生)) character 査 (“investigate”), indexed under the 木 (き / きへん (tree)) radical. Practice 査 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 査 (サ / さ (sa) — investigate).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (査)
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 5 (小学5年生) (JLPT N2). 査 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (サ) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (9画): Written with 9 strokes, 査 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 7 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 9 strokes under radical 木.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 査
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 査 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 査 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 査 ("investigate") is written with 9 strokes (9画) as a JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 5 (小学5年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 木 (き / きへん (tree)) radical. Written with 9 strokes, 査 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 7 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 査?
For 査 (JLPT N2), the Onyomi is サ and the Kunyomi is —. 査 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (サ) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 査 includes 査 (サ / さ (sa) — investigate).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 査 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 9 strokes of 査 (investigate), 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 査 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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