How to Write 素 (elementary, principle, naked, uncovered) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 10-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 5 (小学5年生)) character 素 (“elementary, principle, naked, uncovered”), indexed under the 糸 (いと / いとへん (silk/thread)) radical. Practice 素 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 素 (もと (moto) — elementary).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (素)
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 5 (小学5年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ソ, ス) when 素 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (もと) when 素 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (10画): Written with 10 strokes, 素 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 8 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 10 strokes under radical 糸.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 素
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 素 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 素 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 素 ("elementary, principle, naked, uncovered") is written with 10 strokes (10画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 5 (小学5年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 糸 (いと / いとへん (silk/thread)) radical. Written with 10 strokes, 素 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 8 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 素?
For 素 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is ソ, ス and the Kunyomi is もと. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ソ, ス) when 素 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (もと) when 素 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 素 includes 素 (もと (moto) — elementary).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 素 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 10 strokes of 素 (elementary, principle, naked, uncovered), 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 素 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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