How to Write 気 (spirit, mind, air, atmosphere) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 6-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N5 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 1 (小学1年生)) character 気 (“spirit, mind, air, atmosphere”), indexed under the 气 (きがまえ (steam/air)) radical. Practice 気 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 元気 (げんき (genki) — healthy / energetic), 天気 (てんき (tenki) — weather), 気持ち (きもち (kimochi) — feeling).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (気)
Primary Radical (部首): 气 — きがまえ (steam/air)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 气
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 1 (小学1年生) (JLPT N5). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (キ, ケ) when 気 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (いき) when 気 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (6画): Written with 6 strokes, 気 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 气 (きがまえ (steam/air)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 气 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 4 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 气 (きがまえ (steam/air))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 6 strokes under radical 气.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 気
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 気 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 気 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 気 ("spirit, mind, air, atmosphere") is written with 6 strokes (6画) as a JLPT N5 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 1 (小学1年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 气 (きがまえ (steam/air)) radical. Written with 6 strokes, 気 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 气 (きがまえ (steam/air)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 气 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 4 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 気?
For 気 (JLPT N5), the Onyomi is キ, ケ and the Kunyomi is いき. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (キ, ケ) when 気 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (いき) when 気 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 気 includes 元気 (げんき (genki) — healthy / energetic), 天気 (てんき (tenki) — weather), 気持ち (きもち (kimochi) — feeling).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 気 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 6 strokes of 気 (spirit, mind, air, atmosphere), start with the 气 (きがまえ (steam/air)) 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 気 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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