How to Write 流 (current, a sink, flow, forfeit) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 10-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) character 流 (“current, a sink, flow, forfeit”), indexed under the 水 (みず / さんずい (water)) radical. Practice 流 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 流れる (ながれる (nagareru) — current), 流れ (ながれ (nagare) — current).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (流)
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 3 (小学3年生) (JLPT N3). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (リュウ, ル) when 流 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (なが.れる, なが.れ, なが.す, -なが.す) when 流 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (10画): Written with 10 strokes, 流 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 8 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 10 strokes under radical 水.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 流
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 流 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 流 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 流 ("current, a sink, flow, forfeit") is written with 10 strokes (10画) as a JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 水 (みず / さんずい (water)) radical. Written with 10 strokes, 流 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 8 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 流?
For 流 (JLPT N3), the Onyomi is リュウ, ル and the Kunyomi is なが.れる, なが.れ, なが.す, -なが.す. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (リュウ, ル) when 流 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (なが.れる, なが.れ, なが.す, -なが.す) when 流 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 流 includes 流れる (ながれる (nagareru) — current), 流れ (ながれ (nagare) — current).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 流 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 10 strokes of 流 (current, a sink, flow, forfeit), 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 流 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N3 Characters to Practice Next
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