How to Write 補 (supplement, supply, make good, offset, compensate) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 12-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生)) character 補 (“supplement, supply, make good, offset, compensate”), indexed under the 衣 (ころも / ころもへん (clothes)) radical. Practice 補 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 補う (おぎなう (oginau) — supplement).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (補)
Primary Radical (部首): 衣 — ころも / ころもへん (clothes)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 衣
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生) (JLPT N2). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ホ) when 補 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (おぎな.う) when 補 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (12画): At 12 strokes, 補 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 衣 (ころも / ころもへん (clothes)) 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: 衣 (ころも / ころもへん (clothes))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 12 strokes under radical 衣.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 補
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 補 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 補 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 補 ("supplement, supply, make good, offset, compensate") is written with 12 strokes (12画) as a JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 衣 (ころも / ころもへん (clothes)) radical. At 12 strokes, 補 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 衣 (ころも / ころもへん (clothes)) 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 補?
For 補 (JLPT N2), the Onyomi is ホ and the Kunyomi is おぎな.う. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ホ) when 補 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (おぎな.う) when 補 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 補 includes 補う (おぎなう (oginau) — supplement).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 補 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 12 strokes of 補 (supplement, supply, make good, offset, compensate), start with the 衣 (ころも / ころもへん (clothes)) 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 補 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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