How to Write 赤 (red) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 7-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 1 (小学1年生)) character 赤 (“red”), indexed under the 赤 (あか (red)) radical. Practice 赤 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 赤 (あか (aka) — red), 赤 (あか (aka) — red).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (赤)
Primary Radical (部首): 赤 — あか (red)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 赤
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 1 (小学1年生) (JLPT N4). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (セキ, シャク) when 赤 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (あか, あか-, あか.い, あか.らむ, あか.らめる) when 赤 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (7画): Written with 7 strokes, 赤 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 赤 (あか (red)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 赤 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 5 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 赤 (あか (red))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 7 strokes under radical 赤.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 赤
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 赤 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 赤 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 赤 ("red") is written with 7 strokes (7画) as a JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 1 (小学1年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 赤 (あか (red)) radical. Written with 7 strokes, 赤 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 赤 (あか (red)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 赤 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 5 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 赤?
For 赤 (JLPT N4), the Onyomi is セキ, シャク and the Kunyomi is あか, あか-, あか.い, あか.らむ, あか.らめる. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (セキ, シャク) when 赤 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (あか, あか-, あか.い, あか.らむ, あか.らめる) when 赤 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 赤 includes 赤 (あか (aka) — red), 赤 (あか (aka) — red).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 赤 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 7 strokes of 赤 (red), start with the 赤 (あか (red)) in the Standalone / Integrated (部首) 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 赤 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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