How to Write 約 (promise, approximately, shrink) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 9-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) character 約 (“promise, approximately, shrink”), indexed under the 糸 (いと / いとへん (silk/thread)) radical. Practice 約 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 約まる (つづまる (tsuzumaru) — promise), 約める (つづめる (tsuzumeru) — promise).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (約)
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 4 (小学4年生) (JLPT N3). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ヤク) when 約 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (つづ.まる, つづ.める, つづま.やか) when 約 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (9画): Written with 9 strokes, 約 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 7 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 9 strokes under radical 糸.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 約
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 約 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 約 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 約 ("promise, approximately, shrink") is written with 9 strokes (9画) as a JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 糸 (いと / いとへん (silk/thread)) radical. Written with 9 strokes, 約 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 7 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 約?
For 約 (JLPT N3), the Onyomi is ヤク and the Kunyomi is つづ.まる, つづ.める, つづま.やか. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ヤク) when 約 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (つづ.まる, つづ.める, つづま.やか) when 約 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 約 includes 約まる (つづまる (tsuzumaru) — promise), 約める (つづめる (tsuzumeru) — promise).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 約 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 9 strokes of 約 (promise, approximately, shrink), 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 約 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N3 Characters to Practice Next
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