How to Write 特 (special) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 10-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) character 特 (“special”), indexed under the 牛 (うし (cow)) radical. Practice 特 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 特 (トク / とく (toku) — special).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (特)
Primary Radical (部首): 牛 — うし (cow)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 牛
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生) (JLPT N4). 特 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (トク) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (10画): Written with 10 strokes, 特 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 牛 (うし (cow)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 牛 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 8 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
牛 (meaning) + 寺 (sound ジ)
Derived from the meaning radical 牛 (うし (cow)) and the phonetic component 寺, giving the on-reading ジ / シ.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 特
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 特 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 特 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 特 ("special") is written with 10 strokes (10画) as a JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 牛 (うし (cow)) radical. Written with 10 strokes, 特 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 牛 (うし (cow)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 牛 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 8 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 特?
For 特 (JLPT N4), the Onyomi is トク and the Kunyomi is —. 特 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (トク) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 特 includes 特 (トク / とく (toku) — special).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 特 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 10 strokes of 特 (special), start with the 牛 (うし (cow)) 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 特 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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