How to Write 窟 (cavern) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 13-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 窟 (“cavern”), indexed under the 穴 (あな / あなかんむり (cave/hole)) radical. Practice 窟 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 窟 (いわや (iwaya) — cavern), 窟 (いはや (ihaya) — cavern).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (窟)
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 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (クツ, コツ) when 窟 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (いわや, いはや, あな) when 窟 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (13画): At 13 strokes, 窟 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 穴 (あな / あなかんむり (cave/hole)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 13 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 穴 (あな / あなかんむり (cave/hole))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 13 strokes under radical 穴.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 窟
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 窟 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 窟 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 窟 ("cavern") is written with 13 strokes (13画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 穴 (あな / あなかんむり (cave/hole)) radical. At 13 strokes, 窟 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 穴 (あな / あなかんむり (cave/hole)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 13 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 窟?
For 窟 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is クツ, コツ and the Kunyomi is いわや, いはや, あな. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (クツ, コツ) when 窟 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (いわや, いはや, あな) when 窟 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 窟 includes 窟 (いわや (iwaya) — cavern), 窟 (いはや (ihaya) — cavern).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 窟 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 13 strokes of 窟 (cavern), 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 窟 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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