How to Write 足 (leg, foot, be sufficient, counter for pairs of footwear) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 7-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N5 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 1 (小学1年生)) character 足 (“leg, foot, be sufficient, counter for pairs of footwear”), indexed under the 足 (あし (foot)) radical. Practice 足 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 足 (あし (ashi) — foot / leg), 足りる (たりる (tariru) — to be sufficient).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (足)
Primary Radical (部首): 足 — あし (foot)
Radical Position: Left (Hen / 偏) (偏 (Hen))
Semantic Theme: Feet, legs, walking, running, kicking, and steps
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 1 (小学1年生) (JLPT N5). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ソク) when 足 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (あし, た.りる) when 足 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (7画): Written with 7 strokes, 足 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 足 (あし (foot)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position). Establish the 足 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: 足 (あし (foot))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 7 strokes under radical 足.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 足
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 足 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 足 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 足 ("leg, foot, be sufficient, counter for pairs of footwear") is written with 7 strokes (7画) as a JLPT N5 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 1 (小学1年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 足 (あし (foot)) radical. Written with 7 strokes, 足 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 足 (あし (foot)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position). Establish the 足 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 足?
For 足 (JLPT N5), the Onyomi is ソク and the Kunyomi is あし, た.りる. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ソク) when 足 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (あし, た.りる) when 足 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 足 includes 足 (あし (ashi) — foot / leg), 足りる (たりる (tariru) — to be sufficient).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 足 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 7 strokes of 足 (leg, foot, be sufficient, counter for pairs of footwear), start with the 足 (あし (foot)) 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 足 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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