How to Write 毛 (fur, hair, feather, down) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 4-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) character 毛 (“fur, hair, feather, down”), indexed under the 毛 (け (fur/hair)) radical. Practice 毛 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 毛 (け (ke) — fur).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (毛)
Primary Radical (部首): 毛 — け (fur/hair)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 毛
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生) (JLPT N2). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (モウ) when 毛 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (け) when 毛 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (4画): With only 4 strokes, 毛 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 毛 (け (fur/hair)) structure (Standalone / Integrated position) cleanly around the center intersection and finish terminal strokes with crisp tome (stop) or harai (sweep) release.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 毛 (け (fur/hair))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 4 strokes under radical 毛.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 毛
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 毛 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 毛 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 毛 ("fur, hair, feather, down") is written with 4 strokes (4画) as a JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) foundational low-stroke shape (1–5 strokes) indexed under the 毛 (け (fur/hair)) radical. With only 4 strokes, 毛 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 毛 (け (fur/hair)) structure (Standalone / Integrated position) cleanly around the center intersection and finish terminal strokes with crisp tome (stop) or harai (sweep) release.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 毛?
For 毛 (JLPT N2), the Onyomi is モウ and the Kunyomi is け. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (モウ) when 毛 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (け) when 毛 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 毛 includes 毛 (け (ke) — fur).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 毛 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 4 strokes of 毛 (fur, hair, feather, down), start with the 毛 (け (fur/hair)) 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 毛 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N2 Characters to Practice Next
View Full JLPT N2 Kanji List →Unlock All 2,000+ JLPT N5–N1 Kanji, AI Sensei & Unlimited Genkō Yōshi PDF Books
Get lifetime access to all 2,136 Jōyō Kanji (JLPT N5–N1), AI Kanji Sensei mnemonics, and unlimited Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheets for a one-time payment of $17.99 USD (10% OFF the $19.99 Lifetime Pro Pass with promo code KANJI10). Zero monthly subscriptions!