How to Write 縮 (shrink, contract, shrivel, wrinkle, reduce) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 17-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生)) character 縮 (“shrink, contract, shrivel, wrinkle, reduce”), indexed under the 糸 (いと / いとへん (silk/thread)) radical. Practice 縮 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 縮む (ちぢむ (chijimu) — shrink), 縮まる (ちぢまる (chijimaru) — shrink).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (縮)
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 6 (小学6年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (シュク) when 縮 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ちぢ.む, ちぢ.まる, ちぢ.める, ちぢ.れる, ちぢ.らす) when 縮 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (17画): At 17 strokes, 縮 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 17 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 17 strokes under radical 糸.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 縮
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 縮 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 縮 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 縮 ("shrink, contract, shrivel, wrinkle, reduce") is written with 17 strokes (17画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 糸 (いと / いとへん (silk/thread)) radical. At 17 strokes, 縮 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 17 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 縮?
For 縮 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is シュク and the Kunyomi is ちぢ.む, ちぢ.まる, ちぢ.める, ちぢ.れる, ちぢ.らす. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (シュク) when 縮 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ちぢ.む, ちぢ.まる, ちぢ.める, ちぢ.れる, ちぢ.らす) when 縮 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 縮 includes 縮む (ちぢむ (chijimu) — shrink), 縮まる (ちぢまる (chijimaru) — shrink).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 縮 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 17 strokes of 縮 (shrink, contract, shrivel, wrinkle, reduce), 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 縮 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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