How to Write 芽 (bud, sprout, spear, germ) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 8-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) character 芽 (“bud, sprout, spear, germ”), indexed under the 艸 (くさかんむり (grass)) radical. Practice 芽 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 芽 (め (me) — bud).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (芽)
Primary Radical (部首): 艸 — くさかんむり (grass)
Radical Position: Top (Kanmuri / 冠) (冠 (Kanmuri))
Semantic Theme: Herbs, grass, flowers, vegetation, and botanical life
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ガ) when 芽 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (め) when 芽 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (8画): Written with 8 strokes, 芽 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 艸 (くさかんむり (grass)) radical (Top (Kanmuri / 冠) position). Establish the 艸 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 6 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 艸 (くさかんむり (grass))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 8 strokes under radical 艸.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 芽
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 芽 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 芽 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 芽 ("bud, sprout, spear, germ") is written with 8 strokes (8画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 艸 (くさかんむり (grass)) radical. Written with 8 strokes, 芽 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 艸 (くさかんむり (grass)) radical (Top (Kanmuri / 冠) position). Establish the 艸 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 6 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 芽?
For 芽 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is ガ and the Kunyomi is め. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ガ) when 芽 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (め) when 芽 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 芽 includes 芽 (め (me) — bud).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 芽 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 8 strokes of 芽 (bud, sprout, spear, germ), start with the 艸 (くさかんむり (grass)) in the Top (Kanmuri / 冠) (冠 (Kanmuri)) 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 芽 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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