How to Write 聞 (hear, ask, listen) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 14-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N5 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) character 聞 (“hear, ask, listen”), indexed under the 耳 (みみ (ear)) radical. Practice 聞 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 聞く (きく (kiku) — hear), 聞こえる (きこえる (kikoeru) — hear).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (聞)
Primary Radical (部首): 耳 — みみ (ear)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 耳
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生) (JLPT N5). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ブン, モン) when 聞 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (き.く, き.こえる) when 聞 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (14画): At 14 strokes, 聞 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 耳 (みみ (ear)) radical (Standalone / Integrated 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: 耳 (みみ (ear))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 14 strokes under radical 耳.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 聞
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 聞 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 聞 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 聞 ("hear, ask, listen") is written with 14 strokes (14画) as a JLPT N5 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 耳 (みみ (ear)) radical. At 14 strokes, 聞 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 耳 (みみ (ear)) radical (Standalone / Integrated 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 聞?
For 聞 (JLPT N5), the Onyomi is ブン, モン and the Kunyomi is き.く, き.こえる. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ブン, モン) when 聞 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (き.く, き.こえる) when 聞 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 聞 includes 聞く (きく (kiku) — hear), 聞こえる (きこえる (kikoeru) — hear).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 聞 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 14 strokes of 聞 (hear, ask, listen), 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 聞 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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