How to Write 衆 (masses, great numbers, multitude, populace) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 12-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生)) character 衆 (“masses, great numbers, multitude, populace”), indexed under the 血 (ち (blood)) radical. Practice 衆 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 衆い (おおい (ooi) — masses).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (衆)
Primary Radical (部首): 血 — ち (blood)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 血
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (シュウ, シュ) when 衆 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (おお.い) when 衆 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (12画): At 12 strokes, 衆 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 血 (ち (blood)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 12 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 血 (ち (blood))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 12 strokes under radical 血.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 衆
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 衆 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 衆 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 衆 ("masses, great numbers, multitude, populace") is written with 12 strokes (12画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 血 (ち (blood)) radical. At 12 strokes, 衆 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 血 (ち (blood)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 12 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 衆?
For 衆 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is シュウ, シュ and the Kunyomi is おお.い. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (シュウ, シュ) when 衆 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (おお.い) when 衆 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 衆 includes 衆い (おおい (ooi) — masses).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 衆 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 12 strokes of 衆 (masses, great numbers, multitude, populace), start with the 血 (ち (blood)) 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 衆 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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