How to Write 滞 (stagnate, be delayed, overdue, arrears) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 13-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 滞 (“stagnate, be delayed, overdue, arrears”), indexed under the 水 (みず / さんずい (water)) radical. Practice 滞 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 滞る (とどこおる (todokooru) — stagnate).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (滞)
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 (タイ, テイ) when 滞 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (とどこお.る) when 滞 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (13画): At 13 strokes, 滞 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 水 (みず / さんずい (water)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 13 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 水 (みず / さんずい (water))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 13 strokes under radical 水.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 滞
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 滞 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 滞 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 滞 ("stagnate, be delayed, overdue, arrears") is written with 13 strokes (13画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 水 (みず / さんずい (water)) radical. At 13 strokes, 滞 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 水 (みず / さんずい (water)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 13 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 滞?
For 滞 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is タイ, テイ and the Kunyomi is とどこお.る. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (タイ, テイ) when 滞 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (とどこお.る) when 滞 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 滞 includes 滞る (とどこおる (todokooru) — stagnate).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 滞 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 13 strokes of 滞 (stagnate, be delayed, overdue, arrears), 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 滞 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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