How to Write 通 (traffic, pass through, avenue, commute, counter for letters, notes, documents, etc.) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 10-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) character 通 (“traffic, pass through, avenue, commute, counter for letters, notes, documents, etc.”), indexed under the 辵 (しんにょう (road/advance)) radical. Practice 通 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 通る (とおる (tooru) — traffic), 通り (とおり (toori) — traffic).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (通)
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 2 (小学2年生) (JLPT N4). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ツウ, ツ) when 通 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (とお.る, とお.り, -とお.り, -どお.り, とお.す, とお.し, -どお.し, かよ.う) when 通 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (10画): Written with 10 strokes, 通 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 8 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 10 strokes under radical 辵.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 通
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 通 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 通 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 通 ("traffic, pass through, avenue, commute, counter for letters, notes, documents, etc.") is written with 10 strokes (10画) as a JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 辵 (しんにょう (road/advance)) radical. Written with 10 strokes, 通 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 8 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 通?
For 通 (JLPT N4), the Onyomi is ツウ, ツ and the Kunyomi is とお.る, とお.り, -とお.り, -どお.り, とお.す, とお.し, -どお.し, かよ.う. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ツウ, ツ) when 通 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (とお.る, とお.り, -とお.り, -どお.り, とお.す, とお.し, -どお.し, かよ.う) when 通 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 通 includes 通る (とおる (tooru) — traffic), 通り (とおり (toori) — traffic).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 通 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 10 strokes of 通 (traffic, pass through, avenue, commute, counter for letters, notes, documents, etc.), 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 通 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N4 Characters to Practice Next
View Full JLPT N4 Kanji List →Unlock All 2,000+ JLPT N5–N1 Kanji, AI Sensei & Unlimited Genkō Yōshi PDF Books
Get lifetime access to all 2,136 Jōyō Kanji (JLPT N5–N1), AI Kanji Sensei mnemonics, and unlimited Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheets for a one-time payment of $17.99 USD (10% OFF the $19.99 Lifetime Pro Pass with promo code KANJI10). Zero monthly subscriptions!