How to Write 薫 (send forth fragrance, fragrant, be scented, smoke (tobacco)) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 16-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 薫 (“send forth fragrance, fragrant, be scented, smoke (tobacco)”), indexed under the 艸 (くさかんむり (grass)) radical. Practice 薫 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 薫る (かおる (kaoru) — send forth fragrance).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (薫)
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 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (クン) when 薫 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (かお.る) when 薫 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (16画): At 16 strokes, 薫 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 16 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 16 strokes under radical 艸.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 薫
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 薫 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 薫 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 薫 ("send forth fragrance, fragrant, be scented, smoke (tobacco)") is written with 16 strokes (16画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 艸 (くさかんむり (grass)) radical. At 16 strokes, 薫 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 16 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 薫?
For 薫 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is クン and the Kunyomi is かお.る. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (クン) when 薫 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (かお.る) when 薫 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 薫 includes 薫る (かおる (kaoru) — send forth fragrance).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 薫 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 16 strokes of 薫 (send forth fragrance, fragrant, be scented, smoke (tobacco)), 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 薫 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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