How to Write 渇 (thirst, dry up, parch) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 11-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 渇 (“thirst, dry up, parch”), indexed under the 水 (みず / さんずい (water)) radical. Practice 渇 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 渇く (かわく (kawaku) — thirst).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (渇)
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 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (カツ) when 渇 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (かわ.く) when 渇 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (11画): Written with 11 strokes, 渇 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 9 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 11 strokes under radical 水.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 渇
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 渇 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 渇 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 渇 ("thirst, dry up, parch") is written with 11 strokes (11画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 水 (みず / さんずい (water)) radical. Written with 11 strokes, 渇 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 9 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 渇?
For 渇 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is カツ and the Kunyomi is かわ.く. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (カツ) when 渇 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (かわ.く) when 渇 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 渇 includes 渇く (かわく (kawaku) — thirst).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 渇 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 11 strokes of 渇 (thirst, dry up, parch), 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 渇 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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