How to Write 矛 (halberd, arms, festival float) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 5-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 矛 (“halberd, arms, festival float”), indexed under the 矛 (ほこ (spear)) radical. Practice 矛 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 矛 (ほこ (hoko) — halberd).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (矛)
Primary Radical (部首): 矛 — ほこ (spear)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 矛
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ム, ボウ) when 矛 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ほこ) when 矛 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (5画): With only 5 strokes, 矛 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 矛 (ほこ (spear)) 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: 矛 (ほこ (spear))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 5 strokes under radical 矛.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 矛
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 矛 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 矛 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 矛 ("halberd, arms, festival float") is written with 5 strokes (5画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) foundational low-stroke shape (1–5 strokes) indexed under the 矛 (ほこ (spear)) radical. With only 5 strokes, 矛 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 矛 (ほこ (spear)) 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 矛?
For 矛 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is ム, ボウ and the Kunyomi is ほこ. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ム, ボウ) when 矛 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ほこ) when 矛 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 矛 includes 矛 (ほこ (hoko) — halberd).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 矛 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 5 strokes of 矛 (halberd, arms, festival float), start with the 矛 (ほこ (spear)) 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 矛 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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