How to Write 輝 (radiance, shine, sparkle, gleam, twinkle) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 15-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 輝 (“radiance, shine, sparkle, gleam, twinkle”), indexed under the 車 (くるま (cart/car)) radical. Practice 輝 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 輝く (かがやく (kagayaku) — radiance).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (輝)
Primary Radical (部首): 車 — くるま (cart/car)
Radical Position: Left (Hen / 偏) (偏 (Hen))
Semantic Theme: Carts, wagons, vehicles, wheels, and transport
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (キ) when 輝 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (かがや.く) when 輝 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (15画): At 15 strokes, 輝 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 車 (くるま (cart/car)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 15 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 車 (くるま (cart/car))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 15 strokes under radical 車.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 輝
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 輝 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 輝 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 輝 ("radiance, shine, sparkle, gleam, twinkle") is written with 15 strokes (15画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 車 (くるま (cart/car)) radical. At 15 strokes, 輝 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 車 (くるま (cart/car)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 15 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 輝?
For 輝 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is キ and the Kunyomi is かがや.く. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (キ) when 輝 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (かがや.く) when 輝 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 輝 includes 輝く (かがやく (kagayaku) — radiance).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 輝 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 15 strokes of 輝 (radiance, shine, sparkle, gleam, twinkle), start with the 車 (くるま (cart/car)) 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 輝 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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