How to Write 段 (grade, steps, stairs) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 9-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生)) character 段 (“grade, steps, stairs”), indexed under the 殳 (ほこづくり (weapon)) radical. Practice 段 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 段 (ダン / だん (dan) — grade).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (段)
Primary Radical (部首): 殳 — ほこづくり (weapon)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 殳
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生) (JLPT N3). 段 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ダン, タン) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (9画): Written with 9 strokes, 段 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 殳 (ほこづくり (weapon)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 殳 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: 殳 (ほこづくり (weapon))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 9 strokes under radical 殳.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 段
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 段 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 段 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 段 ("grade, steps, stairs") is written with 9 strokes (9画) as a JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 殳 (ほこづくり (weapon)) radical. Written with 9 strokes, 段 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 殳 (ほこづくり (weapon)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 殳 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 段?
For 段 (JLPT N3), the Onyomi is ダン, タン and the Kunyomi is —. 段 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ダン, タン) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 段 includes 段 (ダン / だん (dan) — grade).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 段 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 9 strokes of 段 (grade, steps, stairs), start with the 殳 (ほこづくり (weapon)) 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 段 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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