How to Write 遡 (go upstream, retrace the past) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 13-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 遡 (“go upstream, retrace the past”), indexed under the 辵 (しんにょう (road/advance)) radical. Practice 遡 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 遡る (さかのぼる (sakanoboru) — go upstream).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (遡)
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 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ソ, サク) when 遡 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (さかのぼ.る) when 遡 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (13画): At 13 strokes, 遡 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 辵 (しんにょう (road/advance)) radical (Wrapping (Nyō / 繞) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 13 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 辵 (しんにょう (road/advance))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 13 strokes under radical 辵.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 遡
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 遡 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 遡 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 遡 ("go upstream, retrace the past") is written with 13 strokes (13画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 辵 (しんにょう (road/advance)) radical. At 13 strokes, 遡 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 辵 (しんにょう (road/advance)) radical (Wrapping (Nyō / 繞) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 13 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 遡?
For 遡 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is ソ, サク and the Kunyomi is さかのぼ.る. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ソ, サク) when 遡 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (さかのぼ.る) when 遡 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 遡 includes 遡る (さかのぼる (sakanoboru) — go upstream).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 遡 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 13 strokes of 遡 (go upstream, retrace the past), 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 遡 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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