How to Write 沿 (run alongside, follow along, run along, lie along) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 8-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生)) character 沿 (“run alongside, follow along, run along, lie along”), indexed under the 水 (みず / さんずい (water)) radical. Practice 沿 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 沿う (そう (sou) — run alongside), 沿い (ぞい (zoi) — run alongside).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (沿)
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 6 (小学6年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (エン) when 沿 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (そ.う, -ぞ.い) when 沿 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (8画): Written with 8 strokes, 沿 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 水 (みず / さんずい (water)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position). Establish the 水 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 6 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 水 (みず / さんずい (water))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 8 strokes under radical 水.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 沿
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 沿 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 沿 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 沿 ("run alongside, follow along, run along, lie along") is written with 8 strokes (8画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 水 (みず / さんずい (water)) radical. Written with 8 strokes, 沿 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 水 (みず / さんずい (water)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position). Establish the 水 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 6 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 沿?
For 沿 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is エン and the Kunyomi is そ.う, -ぞ.い. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (エン) when 沿 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (そ.う, -ぞ.い) when 沿 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 沿 includes 沿う (そう (sou) — run alongside), 沿い (ぞい (zoi) — run alongside).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 沿 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 8 strokes of 沿 (run alongside, follow along, run along, lie along), 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 沿 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N1 Characters to Practice Next
View Full JLPT N1 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!