How to Write 蒼 (blue, pale) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 13-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 9 (小学9年生)) character 蒼 (“blue, pale”), indexed under the 艸 (くさかんむり (grass)) radical. Practice 蒼 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 蒼い (あおい (aoi) — blue).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (蒼)
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 9 (小学9年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ソウ) when 蒼 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (あお.い) when 蒼 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (13画): At 13 strokes, 蒼 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 艸 (くさかんむり (grass)) radical (Top (Kanmuri / 冠) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 13 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 艸 (くさかんむり (grass))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 13 strokes under radical 艸.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 蒼
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 蒼 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 蒼 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 蒼 ("blue, pale") is written with 13 strokes (13画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 9 (小学9年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 艸 (くさかんむり (grass)) radical. At 13 strokes, 蒼 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 艸 (くさかんむり (grass)) radical (Top (Kanmuri / 冠) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 13 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 蒼?
For 蒼 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is ソウ and the Kunyomi is あお.い. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ソウ) when 蒼 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (あお.い) when 蒼 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 蒼 includes 蒼い (あおい (aoi) — blue).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 蒼 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 13 strokes of 蒼 (blue, pale), 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 蒼 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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