How to Write 空 (empty, sky, void, vacant, vacuum) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 8-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 1 (小学1年生)) character 空 (“empty, sky, void, vacant, vacuum”), indexed under the 穴 (あな / あなかんむり (cave/hole)) radical. Practice 空 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 空 (そら (sora) — empty), 空く (あく (aku) — empty).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (空)
Primary Radical (部首): 穴 — あな / あなかんむり (cave/hole)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 穴
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 1 (小学1年生) (JLPT N4). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (クウ) when 空 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (そら, あ.く, あ.き, あ.ける, から, す.く, す.かす, むな.しい) when 空 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (8画): Written with 8 strokes, 空 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 穴 (あな / あなかんむり (cave/hole)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 穴 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 6 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
穴 (meaning) + 工 (sound コウ)
Derived from the meaning radical 穴 (あな / あなかんむり (cave/hole)) and the phonetic component 工, giving the on-reading コウ / ク.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 空
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 空 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 空 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 空 ("empty, sky, void, vacant, vacuum") is written with 8 strokes (8画) as a JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 1 (小学1年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 穴 (あな / あなかんむり (cave/hole)) radical. Written with 8 strokes, 空 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 穴 (あな / あなかんむり (cave/hole)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 穴 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 6 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 空?
For 空 (JLPT N4), the Onyomi is クウ and the Kunyomi is そら, あ.く, あ.き, あ.ける, から, す.く, す.かす, むな.しい. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (クウ) when 空 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (そら, あ.く, あ.き, あ.ける, から, す.く, す.かす, むな.しい) when 空 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 空 includes 空 (そら (sora) — empty), 空く (あく (aku) — empty).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 空 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 8 strokes of 空 (empty, sky, void, vacant, vacuum), start with the 穴 (あな / あなかんむり (cave/hole)) 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 空 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N4 Characters to Practice Next
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