How to Write 横 (sideways, side, horizontal, width, woof) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 15-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) character 横 (“sideways, side, horizontal, width, woof”), indexed under the 木 (き / きへん (tree)) radical. Practice 横 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 横 (よこ (yoko) — sideways).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (横)
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 3 (小学3年生) (JLPT N3). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (オウ) when 横 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (よこ) when 横 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (15画): At 15 strokes, 横 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 木 (き / きへん (tree)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 15 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 木 (き / きへん (tree))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 15 strokes under radical 木.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 横
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 横 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 横 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 横 ("sideways, side, horizontal, width, woof") is written with 15 strokes (15画) as a JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 木 (き / きへん (tree)) radical. At 15 strokes, 横 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 木 (き / きへん (tree)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 15 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 横?
For 横 (JLPT N3), the Onyomi is オウ and the Kunyomi is よこ. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (オウ) when 横 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (よこ) when 横 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 横 includes 横 (よこ (yoko) — sideways).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 横 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 15 strokes of 横 (sideways, side, horizontal, width, woof), 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 横 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N3 Characters to Practice Next
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