How to Write 護 (safeguard, protect) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 20-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 5 (小学5年生)) character 護 (“safeguard, protect”), indexed under the 言 (ことば / ごんべん (word/speech)) radical. Practice 護 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 護る (まもる (mamoru) — safeguard).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (護)
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 5 (小学5年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ゴ) when 護 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (まも.る) when 護 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (20画): At 20 strokes, 護 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 20 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 20 strokes under radical 言.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 護
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 護 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 護 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 護 ("safeguard, protect") is written with 20 strokes (20画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 5 (小学5年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 言 (ことば / ごんべん (word/speech)) radical. At 20 strokes, 護 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 20 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 護?
For 護 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is ゴ and the Kunyomi is まも.る. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ゴ) when 護 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (まも.る) when 護 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 護 includes 護る (まもる (mamoru) — safeguard).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 護 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 20 strokes of 護 (safeguard, protect), 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 護 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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