How to Write 系 (lineage, system) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 7-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生)) character 系 (“lineage, system”), indexed under the 糸 (いと / いとへん (silk/thread)) radical. Practice 系 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 系 (ケイ / けい (kei) — lineage).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (系)
Primary Radical (部首): 糸 — いと / いとへん (silk/thread)
Radical Position: Left (Hen / 偏) (偏 (Hen))
Semantic Theme: Silk, threads, textiles, weaving, and connecting ties
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生) (JLPT N1). 系 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ケイ) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (7画): Written with 7 strokes, 系 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 糸 (いと / いとへん (silk/thread)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position). Establish the 糸 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 5 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 糸 (いと / いとへん (silk/thread))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 7 strokes under radical 糸.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 系
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 系 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 系 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 系 ("lineage, system") is written with 7 strokes (7画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 糸 (いと / いとへん (silk/thread)) radical. Written with 7 strokes, 系 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 糸 (いと / いとへん (silk/thread)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position). Establish the 糸 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 5 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 系?
For 系 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is ケイ and the Kunyomi is —. 系 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ケイ) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 系 includes 系 (ケイ / けい (kei) — lineage).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 系 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 7 strokes of 系 (lineage, system), start with the 糸 (いと / いとへん (silk/thread)) 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 系 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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