How to Write 水 (water) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 4-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N5 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 1 (小学1年生)) character 水 (“water”), indexed under the 水 (みず (water)) radical. Practice 水 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 水 (みず (mizu) — water), 水曜日 (すいようび (suiyoubi) — Wednesday), 水泳 (すいえい (suiei) — swimming).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (水)
Primary Radical (部首): 水 — みず (water)
Radical Position: Left (Hen / 偏) (偏 (Hen))
Semantic Theme: Water, rivers, liquids, and cleansing
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 1 (小学1年生) (JLPT N5). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (スイ) when 水 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (みず) when 水 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (4画): With only 4 strokes, 水 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 水 (みず (water)) structure (Left (Hen / 偏) 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: 水 (みず (water))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 4 strokes under radical 水.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 水
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 水 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 水 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 水 ("water") is written with 4 strokes (4画) as a JLPT N5 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 1 (小学1年生)) foundational low-stroke shape (1–5 strokes) indexed under the 水 (みず (water)) radical. With only 4 strokes, 水 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 水 (みず (water)) structure (Left (Hen / 偏) 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 水?
For 水 (JLPT N5), the Onyomi is スイ and the Kunyomi is みず. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (スイ) when 水 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (みず) when 水 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 水 includes 水 (みず (mizu) — water), 水曜日 (すいようび (suiyoubi) — Wednesday), 水泳 (すいえい (suiei) — swimming).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 水 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 4 strokes of 水 (water), start with the 水 (みず (water)) in the Left (Hen / 偏) (偏 (Hen)) 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 水 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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