How to Write 迷 (astray, be perplexed, in doubt, lost, err) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 9-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 5 (小学5年生)) character 迷 (“astray, be perplexed, in doubt, lost, err”), indexed under the 辵 (しんにょう (road/advance)) radical. Practice 迷 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 迷う (まよう (mayou) — astray).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (迷)
Primary Radical (部首): 辵 — しんにょう (road/advance)
Radical Position: Wrapping (Nyō / 繞) (繞 (Nyō))
Semantic Theme: Walking, movement, travel, progression, and distance
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 5 (小学5年生) (JLPT N3). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (メイ) when 迷 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (まよ.う) when 迷 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (9画): Written with 9 strokes, 迷 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 辵 (しんにょう (road/advance)) radical (Wrapping (Nyō / 繞) position). Establish the 辵 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 7 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 辵 (しんにょう (road/advance))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 9 strokes under radical 辵.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 迷
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 迷 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 迷 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 迷 ("astray, be perplexed, in doubt, lost, err") is written with 9 strokes (9画) as a JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 5 (小学5年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 辵 (しんにょう (road/advance)) radical. Written with 9 strokes, 迷 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 辵 (しんにょう (road/advance)) radical (Wrapping (Nyō / 繞) position). Establish the 辵 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 7 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 迷?
For 迷 (JLPT N3), the Onyomi is メイ and the Kunyomi is まよ.う. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (メイ) when 迷 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (まよ.う) when 迷 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 迷 includes 迷う (まよう (mayou) — astray).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 迷 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 9 strokes of 迷 (astray, be perplexed, in doubt, lost, err), start with the 辵 (しんにょう (road/advance)) in the Wrapping (Nyō / 繞) (繞 (Nyō)) 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 迷 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N3 Characters to Practice Next
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