How to Write 滴 (drip, drop) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 14-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 滴 (“drip, drop”), indexed under the 水 (みず / さんずい (water)) radical. Practice 滴 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 滴 (しずく (shizuku) — drip), 滴る (したたる (shitataru) — drip).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (滴)
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 N2). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (テキ) when 滴 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (しずく, したた.る) when 滴 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (14画): At 14 strokes, 滴 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 14 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 14 strokes under radical 水.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 滴
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 滴 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 滴 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 滴 ("drip, drop") is written with 14 strokes (14画) as a JLPT N2 (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 14 strokes, 滴 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 14 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 滴?
For 滴 (JLPT N2), the Onyomi is テキ and the Kunyomi is しずく, したた.る. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (テキ) when 滴 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (しずく, したた.る) when 滴 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 滴 includes 滴 (しずく (shizuku) — drip), 滴る (したたる (shitataru) — drip).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 滴 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 14 strokes of 滴 (drip, drop), 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 滴 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N2 Characters to Practice Next
View Full JLPT N2 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!