How to Write 精 (refined, ghost, fairy, energy, vitality) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 14-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 5 (小学5年生)) character 精 (“refined, ghost, fairy, energy, vitality”), indexed under the 米 (こめ (rice)) radical. Practice 精 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 精げる (しらげる (shirageru) — refined), 精しい (くわしい (kuwashii) — refined).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (精)
Primary Radical (部首): 米 — こめ (rice)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 米
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 5 (小学5年生) (JLPT N3). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (セイ, ショウ) when 精 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (しら.げる, くわ.しい) when 精 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (14画): At 14 strokes, 精 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 米 (こめ (rice)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 14 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
米 (meaning) + 青 (sound セイ)
Derived from the meaning radical 米 (こめ (rice)) and the phonetic component 青, giving the on-reading セイ / ショウ.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 精
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 精 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 精 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 精 ("refined, ghost, fairy, energy, vitality") is written with 14 strokes (14画) as a JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 5 (小学5年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 米 (こめ (rice)) radical. At 14 strokes, 精 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 米 (こめ (rice)) radical (Standalone / Integrated 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 精?
For 精 (JLPT N3), the Onyomi is セイ, ショウ and the Kunyomi is しら.げる, くわ.しい. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (セイ, ショウ) when 精 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (しら.げる, くわ.しい) when 精 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 精 includes 精げる (しらげる (shirageru) — refined), 精しい (くわしい (kuwashii) — refined).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 精 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 14 strokes of 精 (refined, ghost, fairy, energy, vitality), start with the 米 (こめ (rice)) 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 精 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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