How to Write 県 (prefecture) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 9-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) character 県 (“prefecture”), indexed under the 目 (め (eye)) radical. Practice 県 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 県ける (かける (kakeru) — prefecture).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (県)
Primary Radical (部首): 目 — め (eye)
Radical Position: Left (Hen / 偏) (偏 (Hen))
Semantic Theme: Eyes, watching, sleeping, vision, and gaze
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生) (JLPT N2). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ケン) when 県 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (か.ける) when 県 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (9画): Written with 9 strokes, 県 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 目 (め (eye)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position). Establish the 目 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 7 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 目 (め (eye))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 9 strokes under radical 目.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 県
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 県 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 県 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 県 ("prefecture") is written with 9 strokes (9画) as a JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 目 (め (eye)) radical. Written with 9 strokes, 県 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 目 (め (eye)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position). Establish the 目 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 7 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 県?
For 県 (JLPT N2), the Onyomi is ケン and the Kunyomi is か.ける. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ケン) when 県 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (か.ける) when 県 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 県 includes 県ける (かける (kakeru) — prefecture).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 県 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 9 strokes of 県 (prefecture), start with the 目 (め (eye)) in the Left (Hen / 偏) (偏 (Hen)) 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 県 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N2 Characters to Practice Next
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