How to Write 永 (eternity, long, lengthy) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 5-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 5 (小学5年生)) character 永 (“eternity, long, lengthy”), indexed under the 水 (みず / さんずい (water)) radical. Practice 永 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 永い (ながい (nagai) — eternity).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (永)
Primary Radical (部首): 水 — みず / さんずい (water)
Radical Position: Left (Hen / 偏) (偏 (Hen))
Semantic Theme: Water, rivers, liquids, and cleansing
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 5 (小学5年生) (JLPT N2). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (エイ) when 永 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (なが.い) when 永 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (5画): With only 5 strokes, 永 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 / さんずい (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 / さんずい (water))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 5 strokes under radical 水.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 永
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 永 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 永 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 永 ("eternity, long, lengthy") is written with 5 strokes (5画) as a JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 5 (小学5年生)) foundational low-stroke shape (1–5 strokes) indexed under the 水 (みず / さんずい (water)) radical. With only 5 strokes, 永 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 / さんずい (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 永?
For 永 (JLPT N2), the Onyomi is エイ and the Kunyomi is なが.い. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (エイ) when 永 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (なが.い) when 永 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 永 includes 永い (ながい (nagai) — eternity).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 永 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 5 strokes of 永 (eternity, long, lengthy), start with the 水 (みず / さんずい (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 永 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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