How to Write 膝 (knee, lap) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 15-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 膝 (“knee, lap”), indexed under the 肉 (にく / にくづき (meat)) radical. Practice 膝 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 膝 (ひざ (hiza) — knee).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (膝)
Primary Radical (部首): 肉 — にく / にくづき (meat)
Radical Position: Left (Hen / 偏) (偏 (Hen))
Semantic Theme: Meat, muscle, organs, and anatomy of the body
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N2). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (シツ) when 膝 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ひざ) when 膝 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (15画): At 15 strokes, 膝 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 肉 (にく / にくづき (meat)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 15 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 肉 (にく / にくづき (meat))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 15 strokes under radical 肉.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 膝
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 膝 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 膝 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 膝 ("knee, lap") is written with 15 strokes (15画) as a JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 肉 (にく / にくづき (meat)) radical. At 15 strokes, 膝 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 肉 (にく / にくづき (meat)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 15 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 膝?
For 膝 (JLPT N2), the Onyomi is シツ and the Kunyomi is ひざ. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (シツ) when 膝 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ひざ) when 膝 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 膝 includes 膝 (ひざ (hiza) — knee).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 膝 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 15 strokes of 膝 (knee, lap), start with the 肉 (にく / にくづき (meat)) 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 膝 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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