How to Write 耶 (question mark) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 9-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 9 (小学9年生)) character 耶 (“question mark”), indexed under the 耳 (みみ (ear)) radical. Practice 耶 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 耶 (か (ka) — question mark).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (耶)
Primary Radical (部首): 耳 — みみ (ear)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 耳
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 9 (小学9年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ヤ, ジャ) when 耶 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (か) when 耶 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (9画): Written with 9 strokes, 耶 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 耳 (みみ (ear)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 耳 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 7 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 耳 (みみ (ear))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 9 strokes under radical 耳.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 耶
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 耶 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 耶 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 耶 ("question mark") is written with 9 strokes (9画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 9 (小学9年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 耳 (みみ (ear)) radical. Written with 9 strokes, 耶 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 耳 (みみ (ear)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 耳 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 7 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 耶?
For 耶 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is ヤ, ジャ and the Kunyomi is か. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ヤ, ジャ) when 耶 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (か) when 耶 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 耶 includes 耶 (か (ka) — question mark).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 耶 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 9 strokes of 耶 (question mark), start with the 耳 (みみ (ear)) in the Standalone / Integrated (部首) 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 耶 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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