How to Write 臣 (retainer, subject) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 7-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) character 臣 (“retainer, subject”), indexed under the 臣 (しん (minister)) radical. Practice 臣 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 臣 (シン / しん (shin) — retainer).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (臣)
Primary Radical (部首): 臣 — しん (minister)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 臣
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生) (JLPT N2). 臣 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (シン, ジン) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (7画): Written with 7 strokes, 臣 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 臣 (しん (minister)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 臣 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 5 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 臣 (しん (minister))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 7 strokes under radical 臣.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 臣
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 臣 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 臣 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 臣 ("retainer, subject") is written with 7 strokes (7画) as a JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 臣 (しん (minister)) radical. Written with 7 strokes, 臣 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 臣 (しん (minister)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 臣 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 5 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 臣?
For 臣 (JLPT N2), the Onyomi is シン, ジン and the Kunyomi is —. 臣 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (シン, ジン) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 臣 includes 臣 (シン / しん (shin) — retainer).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 臣 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 7 strokes of 臣 (retainer, subject), start with the 臣 (しん (minister)) 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 臣 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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