How to Write 針 (needle, pin, staple, stinger) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 10-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生)) character 針 (“needle, pin, staple, stinger”), indexed under the 金 (かね / かねへん (metal/gold)) radical. Practice 針 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 針 (はり (hari) — needle).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (針)
Primary Radical (部首): 金 — かね / かねへん (metal/gold)
Radical Position: Left (Hen / 偏) (偏 (Hen))
Semantic Theme: Metals, coins, bells, tools, and mineral wealth
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生) (JLPT N2). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (シン) when 針 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (はり) when 針 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (10画): Written with 10 strokes, 針 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 金 (かね / かねへん (metal/gold)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position). Establish the 金 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: 金 (かね / かねへん (metal/gold))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 10 strokes under radical 金.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 針
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 針 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 針 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 針 ("needle, pin, staple, stinger") is written with 10 strokes (10画) as a JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 金 (かね / かねへん (metal/gold)) radical. Written with 10 strokes, 針 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 金 (かね / かねへん (metal/gold)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position). Establish the 金 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 針?
For 針 (JLPT N2), the Onyomi is シン and the Kunyomi is はり. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (シン) when 針 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (はり) when 針 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 針 includes 針 (はり (hari) — needle).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 針 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 10 strokes of 針 (needle, pin, staple, stinger), start with the 金 (かね / かねへん (metal/gold)) in the Left (Hen / 偏) (偏 (Hen)) 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 針 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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