How to Write 蚕 (silkworm) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 10-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生)) character 蚕 (“silkworm”), indexed under the 虫 (むし (insect)) radical. Practice 蚕 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 蚕 (かいこ (kaiko) — silkworm), 蚕 (こ (ko) — silkworm).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (蚕)
Primary Radical (部首): 虫 — むし (insect)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 虫
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (サン, テン) when 蚕 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (かいこ, こ) when 蚕 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (10画): Written with 10 strokes, 蚕 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 8 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 10 strokes under radical 虫.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 蚕
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 蚕 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 蚕 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 蚕 ("silkworm") is written with 10 strokes (10画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 虫 (むし (insect)) radical. Written with 10 strokes, 蚕 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 8 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 蚕?
For 蚕 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is サン, テン and the Kunyomi is かいこ, こ. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (サン, テン) when 蚕 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (かいこ, こ) when 蚕 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 蚕 includes 蚕 (かいこ (kaiko) — silkworm), 蚕 (こ (ko) — silkworm).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 蚕 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 10 strokes of 蚕 (silkworm), 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 蚕 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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