How to Write 種 (species, kind, class, variety, seed) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 14-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) character 種 (“species, kind, class, variety, seed”), indexed under the 禾 (のぎ / のぎへん (grain)) radical. Practice 種 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 種 (たね (tane) — species), 種 (ぐさ (gusa) — species).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (種)
Primary Radical (部首): 禾 — のぎ / のぎへん (grain)
Radical Position: Left (Hen / 偏) (偏 (Hen))
Semantic Theme: Grain crops, autumn harvest, agriculture, and grain measure
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生) (JLPT N3). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (シュ) when 種 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (たね, -ぐさ) when 種 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (14画): At 14 strokes, 種 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 禾 (のぎ / のぎへん (grain)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 14 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
禾 (meaning) + 重 (sound ジュウ)
Derived from the meaning radical 禾 (のぎ / のぎへん (grain)) and the phonetic component 重, giving the on-reading ジュウ / チョウ.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 種
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 種 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 種 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 種 ("species, kind, class, variety, seed") is written with 14 strokes (14画) as a JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 禾 (のぎ / のぎへん (grain)) radical. At 14 strokes, 種 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 禾 (のぎ / のぎへん (grain)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 14 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 種?
For 種 (JLPT N3), the Onyomi is シュ and the Kunyomi is たね, -ぐさ. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (シュ) when 種 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (たね, -ぐさ) when 種 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 種 includes 種 (たね (tane) — species), 種 (ぐさ (gusa) — species).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 種 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 14 strokes of 種 (species, kind, class, variety, seed), start with the 禾 (のぎ / のぎへん (grain)) 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 種 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N3 Characters to Practice Next
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