How to Write 熟 (mellow, ripen, mature, acquire skill) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 15-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生)) character 熟 (“mellow, ripen, mature, acquire skill”), indexed under the 火 (ひ / れっか (fire)) radical. Practice 熟 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 熟れる (うれる (ureru) — mellow).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (熟)
Primary Radical (部首): 火 — ひ / れっか (fire)
Radical Position: Left (Hen / 偏) (偏 (Hen))
Semantic Theme: Fire, heat, burning, cooking, light, and passion
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ジュク) when 熟 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (う.れる) when 熟 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (15画): At 15 strokes, 熟 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 火 (ひ / れっか (fire)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 15 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 火 (ひ / れっか (fire))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 15 strokes under radical 火.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 熟
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 熟 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 熟 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 熟 ("mellow, ripen, mature, acquire skill") is written with 15 strokes (15画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 火 (ひ / れっか (fire)) radical. At 15 strokes, 熟 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 火 (ひ / れっか (fire)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 15 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 熟?
For 熟 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is ジュク and the Kunyomi is う.れる. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ジュク) when 熟 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (う.れる) when 熟 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 熟 includes 熟れる (うれる (ureru) — mellow).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 熟 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 15 strokes of 熟 (mellow, ripen, mature, acquire skill), start with the 火 (ひ / れっか (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 熟 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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