How to Write 犬 (dog) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 4-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 1 (小学1年生)) character 犬 (“dog”), indexed under the 犬 (いぬ / けものへん (dog)) radical. Practice 犬 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 犬 (いぬ (inu) — dog), 犬 (いぬ (inu) — dog).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (犬)
Primary Radical (部首): 犬 — いぬ / けものへん (dog)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 犬
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 1 (小学1年生) (JLPT N4). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ケン) when 犬 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (いぬ, いぬ-) when 犬 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (4画): With only 4 strokes, 犬 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 犬 (いぬ / けものへん (dog)) 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: 犬 (いぬ / けものへん (dog))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 4 strokes under radical 犬.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 犬
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 犬 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 犬 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 犬 ("dog") is written with 4 strokes (4画) as a JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 1 (小学1年生)) foundational low-stroke shape (1–5 strokes) indexed under the 犬 (いぬ / けものへん (dog)) radical. With only 4 strokes, 犬 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 犬 (いぬ / けものへん (dog)) 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 犬?
For 犬 (JLPT N4), the Onyomi is ケン and the Kunyomi is いぬ, いぬ-. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ケン) when 犬 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (いぬ, いぬ-) when 犬 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 犬 includes 犬 (いぬ (inu) — dog), 犬 (いぬ (inu) — dog).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 犬 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 4 strokes of 犬 (dog), start with the 犬 (いぬ / けものへん (dog)) 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 犬 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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