How to Write 説 (opinion, theory, explanation, rumor) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 14-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) character 説 (“opinion, theory, explanation, rumor”), indexed under the 言 (ことば / ごんべん (word/speech)) radical. Practice 説 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 説く (とく (toku) — opinion).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (説)
Primary Radical (部首): 言 — ことば / ごんべん (word/speech)
Radical Position: Left (Hen / 偏) (偏 (Hen))
Semantic Theme: Speech, words, language, plans, and dialogue
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生) (JLPT N3). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (セツ, ゼイ) when 説 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (と.く) when 説 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (14画): At 14 strokes, 説 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 言 (ことば / ごんべん (word/speech)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 14 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 言 (ことば / ごんべん (word/speech))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 14 strokes under radical 言.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 説
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 説 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 説 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 説 ("opinion, theory, explanation, rumor") is written with 14 strokes (14画) as a JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 言 (ことば / ごんべん (word/speech)) radical. At 14 strokes, 説 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 言 (ことば / ごんべん (word/speech)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 14 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 説?
For 説 (JLPT N3), the Onyomi is セツ, ゼイ and the Kunyomi is と.く. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (セツ, ゼイ) when 説 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (と.く) when 説 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 説 includes 説く (とく (toku) — opinion).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 説 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 14 strokes of 説 (opinion, theory, explanation, rumor), start with the 言 (ことば / ごんべん (word/speech)) in the Left (Hen / 偏) (偏 (Hen)) 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 説 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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