How to Write 連 (take along, lead, join, connect, party) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 10-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) character 連 (“take along, lead, join, connect, party”), indexed under the 辵 (しんにょう (road/advance)) radical. Practice 連 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 連なる (つらなる (tsuranaru) — take along), 連ねる (つらねる (tsuraneru) — take along).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (連)
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 4 (小学4年生) (JLPT N3). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (レン) when 連 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (つら.なる, つら.ねる, つ.れる, -づ.れ) when 連 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (10画): Written with 10 strokes, 連 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 連
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 連 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 連 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 連 ("take along, lead, join, connect, party") is written with 10 strokes (10画) as a JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4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, 連 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 連?
For 連 (JLPT N3), the Onyomi is レン and the Kunyomi is つら.なる, つら.ねる, つ.れる, -づ.れ. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (レン) when 連 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (つら.なる, つら.ねる, つ.れる, -づ.れ) when 連 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 連 includes 連なる (つらなる (tsuranaru) — take along), 連ねる (つらねる (tsuraneru) — take along).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 連 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 10 strokes of 連 (take along, lead, join, connect, party), 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 連 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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