How to Write 請 (solicit, invite, ask) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 15-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 請 (“solicit, invite, ask”), indexed under the 言 (ことば / ごんべん (word/speech)) radical. Practice 請 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 請う (こう (kou) — solicit), 請ける (うける (ukeru) — solicit).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (請)
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 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (セイ, シン, ショウ) when 請 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (こ.う, う.ける) when 請 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (15画): At 15 strokes, 請 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 15 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
言 (meaning) + 青 (sound セイ)
Derived from the meaning radical 言 (ことば / ごんべん (word/speech)) and the phonetic component 青, giving the on-reading セイ / ショウ.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 請
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 請 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 請 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 請 ("solicit, invite, ask") is written with 15 strokes (15画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 言 (ことば / ごんべん (word/speech)) radical. At 15 strokes, 請 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 15 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 請?
For 請 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is セイ, シン, ショウ and the Kunyomi is こ.う, う.ける. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (セイ, シン, ショウ) when 請 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (こ.う, う.ける) when 請 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 請 includes 請う (こう (kou) — solicit), 請ける (うける (ukeru) — solicit).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 請 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 15 strokes of 請 (solicit, invite, ask), 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 請 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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