How to Write 細 (dainty, get thin, taper, slender, narrow) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 11-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) character 細 (“dainty, get thin, taper, slender, narrow”), indexed under the 糸 (いと / いとへん (silk/thread)) radical. Practice 細 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 細い (ほそい (hosoi) — dainty), 細る (ほそる (hosoru) — dainty).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (細)
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 2 (小学2年生) (JLPT N2). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (サイ) when 細 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ほそ.い, ほそ.る, こま.か, こま.かい) when 細 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (11画): Written with 11 strokes, 細 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 9 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 11 strokes under radical 糸.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 細
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 細 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 細 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 細 ("dainty, get thin, taper, slender, narrow") is written with 11 strokes (11画) as a JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 糸 (いと / いとへん (silk/thread)) radical. Written with 11 strokes, 細 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 9 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 細?
For 細 (JLPT N2), the Onyomi is サイ and the Kunyomi is ほそ.い, ほそ.る, こま.か, こま.かい. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (サイ) when 細 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ほそ.い, ほそ.る, こま.か, こま.かい) when 細 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 細 includes 細い (ほそい (hosoi) — dainty), 細る (ほそる (hosoru) — dainty).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 細 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 11 strokes of 細 (dainty, get thin, taper, slender, narrow), 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 細 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N2 Characters to Practice Next
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