How to Write 氏 (family name, surname, clan) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 4-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) character 氏 (“family name, surname, clan”), indexed under the 氏 (うじ (clan)) radical. Practice 氏 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 氏 (うじ (uji) — family name), 氏 (うじ (uji) — family name).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (氏)
Primary Radical (部首): 氏 — うじ (clan)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 氏
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (シ) when 氏 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (うじ, -うじ) when 氏 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (4画): With only 4 strokes, 氏 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 氏 (うじ (clan)) 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: 氏 (うじ (clan))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 4 strokes under radical 氏.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 氏
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 氏 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 氏 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 氏 ("family name, surname, clan") is written with 4 strokes (4画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) foundational low-stroke shape (1–5 strokes) indexed under the 氏 (うじ (clan)) radical. With only 4 strokes, 氏 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 氏 (うじ (clan)) 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 氏?
For 氏 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is シ and the Kunyomi is うじ, -うじ. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (シ) when 氏 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (うじ, -うじ) when 氏 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 氏 includes 氏 (うじ (uji) — family name), 氏 (うじ (uji) — family name).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 氏 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 4 strokes of 氏 (family name, surname, clan), start with the 氏 (うじ (clan)) 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 氏 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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