How to Write 衡 (equilibrium, measuring rod, scale) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 16-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 衡 (“equilibrium, measuring rod, scale”), indexed under the 行 (ぎょうがまえ (walk/go)) radical. Practice 衡 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 衡 (コウ / こう (kou) — equilibrium).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (衡)
Primary Radical (部首): 行 — ぎょうがまえ (walk/go)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 行
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N1). 衡 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (コウ) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (16画): At 16 strokes, 衡 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 行 (ぎょうがまえ (walk/go)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 16 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 行 (ぎょうがまえ (walk/go))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 16 strokes under radical 行.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 衡
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 衡 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 衡 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 衡 ("equilibrium, measuring rod, scale") is written with 16 strokes (16画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 行 (ぎょうがまえ (walk/go)) radical. At 16 strokes, 衡 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 行 (ぎょうがまえ (walk/go)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 16 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 衡?
For 衡 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is コウ and the Kunyomi is —. 衡 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (コウ) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 衡 includes 衡 (コウ / こう (kou) — equilibrium).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 衡 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 16 strokes of 衡 (equilibrium, measuring rod, scale), start with the 行 (ぎょうがまえ (walk/go)) 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 衡 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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