How to Write 火 (fire) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 4-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N5 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 1 (小学1年生)) character 火 (“fire”), indexed under the 火 (ひ (fire)) radical. Practice 火 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 火 (ひ (hi) — fire), 火曜日 (かようび (kayoubi) — Tuesday), 花火 (はなび (hanabi) — fireworks).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (火)
Primary Radical (部首): 火 — ひ (fire)
Radical Position: Left (Hen / 偏) (偏 (Hen))
Semantic Theme: Fire, heat, burning, cooking, light, and passion
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 1 (小学1年生) (JLPT N5). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (カ) when 火 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ひ, -び, ほ-) when 火 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (4画): With only 4 strokes, 火 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 火 (ひ (fire)) structure (Left (Hen / 偏) position) cleanly around the center intersection and finish terminal strokes with crisp tome (stop) or harai (sweep) release.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 火 (ひ (fire))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 4 strokes under radical 火.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 火
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 火 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 火 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 火 ("fire") is written with 4 strokes (4画) as a JLPT N5 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 1 (小学1年生)) foundational low-stroke shape (1–5 strokes) indexed under the 火 (ひ (fire)) radical. With only 4 strokes, 火 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 火 (ひ (fire)) structure (Left (Hen / 偏) position) cleanly around the center intersection and finish terminal strokes with crisp tome (stop) or harai (sweep) release.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 火?
For 火 (JLPT N5), the Onyomi is カ and the Kunyomi is ひ, -び, ほ-. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (カ) when 火 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ひ, -び, ほ-) when 火 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 火 includes 火 (ひ (hi) — fire), 火曜日 (かようび (kayoubi) — Tuesday), 花火 (はなび (hanabi) — fireworks).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 火 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 4 strokes of 火 (fire), start with the 火 (ひ (fire)) 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 火 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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