How to Write 貴 (precious, value, prize, esteem, honor) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 12-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生)) character 貴 (“precious, value, prize, esteem, honor”), indexed under the 貝 (かい (shell)) radical. Practice 貴 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 貴い (たっとい (tattoi) — precious), 貴い (とうとい (toutoi) — precious).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (貴)
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 6 (小学6年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (キ) when 貴 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (たっと.い, とうと.い, たっと.ぶ, とうと.ぶ) when 貴 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (12画): At 12 strokes, 貴 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 貝 (かい (shell)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) 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: 貝 (かい (shell))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 12 strokes under radical 貝.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 貴
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 貴 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 貴 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 貴 ("precious, value, prize, esteem, honor") is written with 12 strokes (12画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 貝 (かい (shell)) radical. At 12 strokes, 貴 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 貝 (かい (shell)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) 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 貴?
For 貴 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is キ and the Kunyomi is たっと.い, とうと.い, たっと.ぶ, とうと.ぶ. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (キ) when 貴 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (たっと.い, とうと.い, たっと.ぶ, とうと.ぶ) when 貴 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 貴 includes 貴い (たっとい (tattoi) — precious), 貴い (とうとい (toutoi) — precious).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 貴 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 12 strokes of 貴 (precious, value, prize, esteem, honor), 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 貴 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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