How to Write 虹 (rainbow) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 9-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 虹 (“rainbow”), indexed under the 虫 (むし (insect)) radical. Practice 虹 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 虹 (にじ (niji) — rainbow).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (虹)
Primary Radical (部首): 虫 — むし (insect)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 虫
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (コウ) when 虹 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (にじ) when 虹 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (9画): Written with 9 strokes, 虹 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 虫 (むし (insect)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 虫 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 7 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 虫 (むし (insect))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 9 strokes under radical 虫.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 虹
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 虹 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 虹 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 虹 ("rainbow") is written with 9 strokes (9画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 虫 (むし (insect)) radical. Written with 9 strokes, 虹 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 虫 (むし (insect)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 虫 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 7 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 虹?
For 虹 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is コウ and the Kunyomi is にじ. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (コウ) when 虹 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (にじ) when 虹 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 虹 includes 虹 (にじ (niji) — rainbow).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 虹 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 9 strokes of 虹 (rainbow), start with the 虫 (むし (insect)) 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 虹 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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