How to Write 皿 (dish, a helping, plate) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 5-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) character 皿 (“dish, a helping, plate”), indexed under the 皿 (さら (dish)) radical. Practice 皿 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 皿 (さら (sara) — dish).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (皿)
Primary Radical (部首): 皿 — さら (dish)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 皿
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生) (JLPT N2). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ベイ) when 皿 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (さら) when 皿 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (5画): With only 5 strokes, 皿 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 皿 (さら (dish)) 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: 皿 (さら (dish))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 5 strokes under radical 皿.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 皿
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 皿 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 皿 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 皿 ("dish, a helping, plate") is written with 5 strokes (5画) as a JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) foundational low-stroke shape (1–5 strokes) indexed under the 皿 (さら (dish)) radical. With only 5 strokes, 皿 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 皿 (さら (dish)) 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 皿?
For 皿 (JLPT N2), the Onyomi is ベイ and the Kunyomi is さら. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ベイ) when 皿 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (さら) when 皿 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 皿 includes 皿 (さら (sara) — dish).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 皿 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 5 strokes of 皿 (dish, a helping, plate), start with the 皿 (さら (dish)) 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 皿 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N2 Characters to Practice Next
View Full JLPT N2 Kanji List →Unlock All 2,000+ JLPT N5–N1 Kanji, AI Sensei & Unlimited Genkō Yōshi PDF Books
Get lifetime access to all 2,136 Jōyō Kanji (JLPT N5–N1), AI Kanji Sensei mnemonics, and unlimited Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheets for a one-time payment of $17.99 USD (10% OFF the $19.99 Lifetime Pro Pass with promo code KANJI10). Zero monthly subscriptions!