How to Write 買 (buy) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 12-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) character 買 (“buy”), indexed under the 貝 (かい (shell)) radical. Practice 買 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 買う (かう (kau) — buy).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (買)
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 2 (小学2年生) (JLPT N4). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (バイ) when 買 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (か.う) when 買 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (12画): At 12 strokes, 買 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 買
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 買 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 買 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 買 ("buy") is written with 12 strokes (12画) as a JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 貝 (かい (shell)) radical. At 12 strokes, 買 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 買?
For 買 (JLPT N4), the Onyomi is バイ and the Kunyomi is か.う. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (バイ) when 買 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (か.う) when 買 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 買 includes 買う (かう (kau) — buy).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 買 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 12 strokes of 買 (buy), 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 買 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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