How to Write 毀 (break, destroy, censure, be chipped, be scratched) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 13-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 毀 (“break, destroy, censure, be chipped, be scratched”), indexed under the 殳 (ほこづくり (weapon)) radical. Practice 毀 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 毀つ (こぼつ (kobotsu) — break), 毀す (こわす (kowasu) — break).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (毀)
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 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (キ) when 毀 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (こぼ.つ, こわ.す, こぼ.れる, こわ.れる, そし.る, やぶ.る) when 毀 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (13画): At 13 strokes, 毀 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 殳 (ほこづくり (weapon)) 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: 殳 (ほこづくり (weapon))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 13 strokes under radical 殳.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 毀
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 毀 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 毀 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 毀 ("break, destroy, censure, be chipped, be scratched") is written with 13 strokes (13画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 殳 (ほこづくり (weapon)) radical. At 13 strokes, 毀 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 殳 (ほこづくり (weapon)) 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 毀?
For 毀 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is キ and the Kunyomi is こぼ.つ, こわ.す, こぼ.れる, こわ.れる, そし.る, やぶ.る. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (キ) when 毀 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (こぼ.つ, こわ.す, こぼ.れる, こわ.れる, そし.る, やぶ.る) when 毀 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 毀 includes 毀つ (こぼつ (kobotsu) — break), 毀す (こわす (kowasu) — break).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 毀 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 13 strokes of 毀 (break, destroy, censure, be chipped, be scratched), 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 毀 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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