How to Write 爪 (claw, nail, talon) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 4-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 爪 (“claw, nail, talon”), indexed under the 爪 (つめ (claw)) radical. Practice 爪 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 爪 (つめ (tsume) — claw), 爪 (つま (tsuma) — claw).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (爪)
Primary Radical (部首): 爪 — つめ (claw)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 爪
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ソウ) when 爪 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (つめ, つま-) when 爪 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (4画): With only 4 strokes, 爪 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 爪 (つめ (claw)) structure (Standalone / Integrated 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: 爪 (つめ (claw))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 4 strokes under radical 爪.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 爪
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 爪 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 爪 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 爪 ("claw, nail, talon") is written with 4 strokes (4画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) foundational low-stroke shape (1–5 strokes) indexed under the 爪 (つめ (claw)) radical. With only 4 strokes, 爪 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 爪 (つめ (claw)) structure (Standalone / Integrated 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 爪?
For 爪 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is ソウ and the Kunyomi is つめ, つま-. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ソウ) when 爪 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (つめ, つま-) when 爪 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 爪 includes 爪 (つめ (tsume) — claw), 爪 (つま (tsuma) — claw).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 爪 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 4 strokes of 爪 (claw, nail, talon), start with the 爪 (つめ (claw)) in the Standalone / Integrated (部首) 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 爪 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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