How to Write 漢 (Sino-, China) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 13-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) character 漢 (“Sino-, China”), indexed under the 水 (みず / さんずい (water)) radical. Practice 漢 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 漢 (カン / かん (kan) — Sino-).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (漢)
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 N4). 漢 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (カン) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (13画): At 13 strokes, 漢 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 漢
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 漢 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 漢 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 漢 ("Sino-, China") is written with 13 strokes (13画) as a JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 水 (みず / さんずい (water)) radical. At 13 strokes, 漢 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 漢?
For 漢 (JLPT N4), the Onyomi is カン and the Kunyomi is —. 漢 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (カン) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 漢 includes 漢 (カン / かん (kan) — Sino-).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 漢 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 13 strokes of 漢 (Sino-, China), 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 漢 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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