How to Write 歳 (year-end, age, occasion, opportunity) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 13-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 歳 (“year-end, age, occasion, opportunity”), indexed under the 止 (とめる (stop)) radical. Practice 歳 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 歳 (とし (toshi) — year-end), 歳 (とせ (tose) — year-end).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (歳)
Primary Radical (部首): 止 — とめる (stop)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 止
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N3). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (サイ, セイ) when 歳 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (とし, とせ, よわい) when 歳 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (13画): At 13 strokes, 歳 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 止 (とめる (stop)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 13 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 止 (とめる (stop))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 13 strokes under radical 止.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 歳
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 歳 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 歳 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 歳 ("year-end, age, occasion, opportunity") is written with 13 strokes (13画) as a JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 止 (とめる (stop)) radical. At 13 strokes, 歳 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 止 (とめる (stop)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 13 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 歳?
For 歳 (JLPT N3), the Onyomi is サイ, セイ and the Kunyomi is とし, とせ, よわい. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (サイ, セイ) when 歳 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (とし, とせ, よわい) when 歳 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 歳 includes 歳 (とし (toshi) — year-end), 歳 (とせ (tose) — year-end).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 歳 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 13 strokes of 歳 (year-end, age, occasion, opportunity), start with the 止 (とめる (stop)) in the Standalone / Integrated (部首) 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 歳 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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