How to Write 癖 (mannerism, habit, vice, trait, fault) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 18-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 癖 (“mannerism, habit, vice, trait, fault”), indexed under the 疒 (やまいだれ (sickness)) radical. Practice 癖 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 癖 (くせ (kuse) — mannerism), 癖に (くせに (kuseni) — mannerism).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (癖)
Primary Radical (部首): 疒 — やまいだれ (sickness)
Radical Position: Hanging (Tare / 垂) (垂 (Tare))
Semantic Theme: Illness, medical conditions, symptoms, and diseases
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ヘキ) when 癖 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (くせ, くせ.に) when 癖 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (18画): At 18 strokes, 癖 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 疒 (やまいだれ (sickness)) radical (Hanging (Tare / 垂) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 18 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 疒 (やまいだれ (sickness))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 18 strokes under radical 疒.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 癖
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 癖 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 癖 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 癖 ("mannerism, habit, vice, trait, fault") is written with 18 strokes (18画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 疒 (やまいだれ (sickness)) radical. At 18 strokes, 癖 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 疒 (やまいだれ (sickness)) radical (Hanging (Tare / 垂) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 18 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 癖?
For 癖 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is ヘキ and the Kunyomi is くせ, くせ.に. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ヘキ) when 癖 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (くせ, くせ.に) when 癖 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 癖 includes 癖 (くせ (kuse) — mannerism), 癖に (くせに (kuseni) — mannerism).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 癖 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 18 strokes of 癖 (mannerism, habit, vice, trait, fault), start with the 疒 (やまいだれ (sickness)) in the Hanging (Tare / 垂) (垂 (Tare)) 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 癖 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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