How to Write 矢 (dart, arrow) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 5-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) character 矢 (“dart, arrow”), indexed under the 矢 (や (arrow)) radical. Practice 矢 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 矢 (や (ya) — dart).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (矢)
Primary Radical (部首): 矢 — や (arrow)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 矢
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (シ) when 矢 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (や) when 矢 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (5画): With only 5 strokes, 矢 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 矢 (や (arrow)) 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: 矢 (や (arrow))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 5 strokes under radical 矢.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 矢
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 矢 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 矢 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 矢 ("dart, arrow") is written with 5 strokes (5画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) foundational low-stroke shape (1–5 strokes) indexed under the 矢 (や (arrow)) radical. With only 5 strokes, 矢 is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the 矢 (や (arrow)) 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 矢?
For 矢 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is シ and the Kunyomi is や. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (シ) when 矢 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (や) when 矢 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 矢 includes 矢 (や (ya) — dart).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 矢 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 5 strokes of 矢 (dart, arrow), start with the 矢 (や (arrow)) 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 矢 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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