How to Write 負 (defeat, negative, -, minus, bear) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 9-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) character 負 (“defeat, negative, -, minus, bear”), indexed under the 貝 (かい (shell)) radical. Practice 負 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 負ける (まける (makeru) — defeat), 負かす (まかす (makasu) — defeat).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (負)
Primary Radical (部首): 貝 — かい (shell)
Radical Position: Left (Hen / 偏) (偏 (Hen))
Semantic Theme: Ancient cowrie money, commerce, buying, and wealth
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生) (JLPT N3). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (フ) when 負 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ま.ける, ま.かす, お.う) when 負 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (9画): Written with 9 strokes, 負 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 貝 (かい (shell)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position). Establish the 貝 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 7 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 貝 (かい (shell))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 9 strokes under radical 貝.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 負
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 負 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 負 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 負 ("defeat, negative, -, minus, bear") is written with 9 strokes (9画) as a JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 貝 (かい (shell)) radical. Written with 9 strokes, 負 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 貝 (かい (shell)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position). Establish the 貝 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 7 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 負?
For 負 (JLPT N3), the Onyomi is フ and the Kunyomi is ま.ける, ま.かす, お.う. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (フ) when 負 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ま.ける, ま.かす, お.う) when 負 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 負 includes 負ける (まける (makeru) — defeat), 負かす (まかす (makasu) — defeat).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 負 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 9 strokes of 負 (defeat, negative, -, minus, bear), start with the 貝 (かい (shell)) 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 負 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N3 Characters to Practice Next
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