How to Write 色 (color) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 6-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) character 色 (“color”), indexed under the 色 (いろ (color)) radical. Practice 色 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 色 (いろ (iro) — color).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (色)
Primary Radical (部首): 色 — いろ (color)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 色
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生) (JLPT N4). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ショク, シキ) when 色 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (いろ) when 色 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (6画): Written with 6 strokes, 色 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 色 (いろ (color)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 色 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 4 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 色 (いろ (color))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 6 strokes under radical 色.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 色
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 色 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 色 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 色 ("color") is written with 6 strokes (6画) as a JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 色 (いろ (color)) radical. Written with 6 strokes, 色 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 色 (いろ (color)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 色 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 4 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 色?
For 色 (JLPT N4), the Onyomi is ショク, シキ and the Kunyomi is いろ. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ショク, シキ) when 色 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (いろ) when 色 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 色 includes 色 (いろ (iro) — color).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 色 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 6 strokes of 色 (color), start with the 色 (いろ (color)) 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 色 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N4 Characters to Practice Next
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