How to Write 練 (practice, gloss, train, drill, polish) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 14-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) character 練 (“practice, gloss, train, drill, polish”), indexed under the 糸 (いと / いとへん (silk/thread)) radical. Practice 練 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 練る (ねる (neru) — practice), 練り (ねり (neri) — practice).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (練)
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 3 (小学3年生) (JLPT N2). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (レン) when 練 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ね.る, ね.り) when 練 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (14画): At 14 strokes, 練 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 糸 (いと / いとへん (silk/thread)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 14 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 糸 (いと / いとへん (silk/thread))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 14 strokes under radical 糸.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 練
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 練 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 練 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 練 ("practice, gloss, train, drill, polish") is written with 14 strokes (14画) as a JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 糸 (いと / いとへん (silk/thread)) radical. At 14 strokes, 練 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 糸 (いと / いとへん (silk/thread)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) 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 練?
For 練 (JLPT N2), the Onyomi is レン and the Kunyomi is ね.る, ね.り. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (レン) when 練 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ね.る, ね.り) when 練 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 練 includes 練る (ねる (neru) — practice), 練り (ねり (neri) — practice).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 練 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 14 strokes of 練 (practice, gloss, train, drill, polish), 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 練 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N2 Characters to Practice Next
View Full JLPT N2 Kanji List →Unlock All 2,000+ JLPT N5–N1 Kanji, AI Sensei & Unlimited Genkō Yōshi PDF Books
Get lifetime access to all 2,136 Jōyō Kanji (JLPT N5–N1), AI Kanji Sensei mnemonics, and unlimited Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheets for a one-time payment of $17.99 USD (10% OFF the $19.99 Lifetime Pro Pass with promo code KANJI10). Zero monthly subscriptions!