How to Write 蝶 (butterfly) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 15-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 9 (小学9年生)) character 蝶 (“butterfly”), indexed under the 虫 (むし (insect)) radical. Practice 蝶 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 蝶 (チョウ / ちょう (chou) — butterfly).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (蝶)
Primary Radical (部首): 虫 — むし (insect)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 虫
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 9 (小学9年生) (JLPT N1). 蝶 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (チョウ) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (15画): At 15 strokes, 蝶 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 虫 (むし (insect)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 15 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 虫 (むし (insect))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 15 strokes under radical 虫.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 蝶
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 蝶 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 蝶 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 蝶 ("butterfly") is written with 15 strokes (15画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 9 (小学9年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 虫 (むし (insect)) radical. At 15 strokes, 蝶 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 虫 (むし (insect)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 15 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 蝶?
For 蝶 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is チョウ and the Kunyomi is —. 蝶 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (チョウ) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 蝶 includes 蝶 (チョウ / ちょう (chou) — butterfly).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 蝶 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 15 strokes of 蝶 (butterfly), 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 蝶 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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