How to Write 縫 (sew, stitch, embroider) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 16-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 縫 (“sew, stitch, embroider”), indexed under the 糸 (いと / いとへん (silk/thread)) radical. Practice 縫 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 縫う (ぬう (nuu) — sew).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (縫)
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 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ホウ) when 縫 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ぬ.う) when 縫 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (16画): At 16 strokes, 縫 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 16 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 16 strokes under radical 糸.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 縫
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 縫 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 縫 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 縫 ("sew, stitch, embroider") is written with 16 strokes (16画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 糸 (いと / いとへん (silk/thread)) radical. At 16 strokes, 縫 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 16 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 縫?
For 縫 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is ホウ and the Kunyomi is ぬ.う. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ホウ) when 縫 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ぬ.う) when 縫 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 縫 includes 縫う (ぬう (nuu) — sew).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 縫 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 16 strokes of 縫 (sew, stitch, embroider), 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 縫 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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