How to Write 還 (send back, return) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 16-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 還 (“send back, return”), indexed under the 辵 (しんにょう (road/advance)) radical. Practice 還 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 還る (かえる (kaeru) — send back).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (還)
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 (カン) when 還 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (かえ.る) when 還 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (16画): At 16 strokes, 還 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 16 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 16 strokes under radical 辵.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 還
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 還 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 還 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 還 ("send back, return") is written with 16 strokes (16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 16 strokes, 還 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 16 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 還?
For 還 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is カン and the Kunyomi is かえ.る. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (カン) when 還 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (かえ.る) when 還 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 還 includes 還る (かえる (kaeru) — send back).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 還 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 16 strokes of 還 (send back, return), 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 還 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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