How to Write 欧 (Europe) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 8-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 欧 (“Europe”), indexed under the 欠 (あくび (lack/yawn)) radical. Practice 欧 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 欧う (うたう (utau) — Europe), 欧く (はく (haku) — Europe).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (欧)
Primary Radical (部首): 欠 — あくび (lack/yawn)
Radical Position: Right (Tsukuri / 旁) (旁 (Tsukuri))
Semantic Theme: Breathing out, yearning, singing, and deficiency
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N2). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (オウ) when 欧 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (うた.う, は.く) when 欧 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (8画): Written with 8 strokes, 欧 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 欠 (あくび (lack/yawn)) radical (Right (Tsukuri / 旁) position). Establish the 欠 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 6 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 欠 (あくび (lack/yawn))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 8 strokes under radical 欠.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 欧
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 欧 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 欧 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 欧 ("Europe") is written with 8 strokes (8画) as a JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 欠 (あくび (lack/yawn)) radical. Written with 8 strokes, 欧 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 欠 (あくび (lack/yawn)) radical (Right (Tsukuri / 旁) position). Establish the 欠 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 6 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 欧?
For 欧 (JLPT N2), the Onyomi is オウ and the Kunyomi is うた.う, は.く. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (オウ) when 欧 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (うた.う, は.く) when 欧 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 欧 includes 欧う (うたう (utau) — Europe), 欧く (はく (haku) — Europe).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 欧 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 8 strokes of 欧 (Europe), start with the 欠 (あくび (lack/yawn)) in the Right (Tsukuri / 旁) (旁 (Tsukuri)) 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 欧 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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