How to Write 虎 (tiger, drunkard) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 8-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 虎 (“tiger, drunkard”), indexed under the 虍 (とらかんむり (tiger)) radical. Practice 虎 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 虎 (とら (tora) — tiger).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (虎)
Primary Radical (部首): 虍 — とらかんむり (tiger)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 虍
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (コ) when 虎 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (とら) when 虎 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (8画): Written with 8 strokes, 虎 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 虍 (とらかんむり (tiger)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 虍 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: 虍 (とらかんむり (tiger))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 8 strokes under radical 虍.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 虎
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 虎 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 虎 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 虎 ("tiger, drunkard") is written with 8 strokes (8画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 虍 (とらかんむり (tiger)) radical. Written with 8 strokes, 虎 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 虍 (とらかんむり (tiger)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 虍 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 虎?
For 虎 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is コ and the Kunyomi is とら. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (コ) when 虎 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (とら) when 虎 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 虎 includes 虎 (とら (tora) — tiger).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 虎 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 8 strokes of 虎 (tiger, drunkard), start with the 虍 (とらかんむり (tiger)) 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 虎 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N1 Characters to Practice Next
View Full JLPT N1 Kanji List →Unlock All 2,000+ JLPT N5–N1 Kanji, AI Sensei & Unlimited Genkō Yōshi PDF Books
Get lifetime access to all 2,136 Jōyō Kanji (JLPT N5–N1), AI Kanji Sensei mnemonics, and unlimited Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheets for a one-time payment of $17.99 USD (10% OFF the $19.99 Lifetime Pro Pass with promo code KANJI10). Zero monthly subscriptions!