How to Write 竹 (bamboo) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 6-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 1 (小学1年生)) character 竹 (“bamboo”), indexed under the 竹 (たけ / たけかんむり (bamboo)) radical. Practice 竹 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 竹 (たけ (take) — bamboo).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (竹)
Primary Radical (部首): 竹 — たけ / たけかんむり (bamboo)
Radical Position: Top (Kanmuri / 冠) (冠 (Kanmuri))
Semantic Theme: Bamboo, flutes, scrolls, baskets, and writing brushes
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 1 (小学1年生) (JLPT N2). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (チク) when 竹 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (たけ) when 竹 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (6画): Written with 6 strokes, 竹 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 竹 (たけ / たけかんむり (bamboo)) radical (Top (Kanmuri / 冠) position). Establish the 竹 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 4 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 竹 (たけ / たけかんむり (bamboo))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 6 strokes under radical 竹.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 竹
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 竹 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 竹 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 竹 ("bamboo") is written with 6 strokes (6画) as a JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 1 (小学1年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 竹 (たけ / たけかんむり (bamboo)) radical. Written with 6 strokes, 竹 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 竹 (たけ / たけかんむり (bamboo)) radical (Top (Kanmuri / 冠) position). Establish the 竹 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 4 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 竹?
For 竹 (JLPT N2), the Onyomi is チク and the Kunyomi is たけ. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (チク) when 竹 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (たけ) when 竹 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 竹 includes 竹 (たけ (take) — bamboo).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 竹 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 6 strokes of 竹 (bamboo), start with the 竹 (たけ / たけかんむり (bamboo)) in the Top (Kanmuri / 冠) (冠 (Kanmuri)) 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 竹 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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