How to Write 益 (benefit, gain, profit, advantage) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 10-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 5 (小学5年生)) character 益 (“benefit, gain, profit, advantage”), indexed under the 皿 (さら (dish)) radical. Practice 益 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 益す (ます (masu) — benefit).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (益)
Primary Radical (部首): 皿 — さら (dish)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 皿
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 5 (小学5年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (エキ, ヤク) when 益 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ま.す) when 益 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (10画): Written with 10 strokes, 益 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 皿 (さら (dish)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 皿 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 8 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 皿 (さら (dish))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 10 strokes under radical 皿.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 益
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 益 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 益 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 益 ("benefit, gain, profit, advantage") is written with 10 strokes (10画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 5 (小学5年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 皿 (さら (dish)) radical. Written with 10 strokes, 益 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 皿 (さら (dish)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 皿 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 益?
For 益 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is エキ, ヤク and the Kunyomi is ま.す. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (エキ, ヤク) when 益 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ま.す) when 益 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 益 includes 益す (ます (masu) — benefit).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 益 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 10 strokes of 益 (benefit, gain, profit, advantage), 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 益 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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