How to Write 神 (gods, mind, soul) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 9-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) character 神 (“gods, mind, soul”), indexed under the 示 (しめす / しめすへん (altar/show)) radical. Practice 神 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 神 (かみ (kami) — gods), 神 (かん (kan) — gods).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (神)
Primary Radical (部首): 示 — しめす / しめすへん (altar/show)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 示
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生) (JLPT N3). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (シン, ジン) when 神 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (かみ, かん-, こう-) when 神 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (9画): Written with 9 strokes, 神 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 示 (しめす / しめすへん (altar/show)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 示 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: 示 (しめす / しめすへん (altar/show))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 9 strokes under radical 示.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 神
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 神 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 神 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 神 ("gods, mind, soul") is written with 9 strokes (9画) as a JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 示 (しめす / しめすへん (altar/show)) radical. Written with 9 strokes, 神 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 示 (しめす / しめすへん (altar/show)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 示 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 神?
For 神 (JLPT N3), the Onyomi is シン, ジン and the Kunyomi is かみ, かん-, こう-. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (シン, ジン) when 神 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (かみ, かん-, こう-) when 神 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 神 includes 神 (かみ (kami) — gods), 神 (かん (kan) — gods).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 神 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 9 strokes of 神 (gods, mind, soul), start with the 示 (しめす / しめすへん (altar/show)) 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 神 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N3 Characters to Practice Next
View Full JLPT N3 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!