How to Write 銅 (copper) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 14-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 5 (小学5年生)) character 銅 (“copper”), indexed under the 金 (かね / かねへん (metal/gold)) radical. Practice 銅 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 銅 (あかがね (akagane) — copper).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (銅)
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 5 (小学5年生) (JLPT N2). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ドウ) when 銅 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (あかがね) when 銅 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (14画): At 14 strokes, 銅 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 金 (かね / かねへん (metal/gold)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 14 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
金 (meaning) + 同 (sound ドウ)
Derived from the meaning radical 金 (かね / かねへん (metal/gold)) and the phonetic component 同, giving the on-reading ドウ.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 銅
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 銅 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 銅 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 銅 ("copper") is written with 14 strokes (14画) as a JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 5 (小学5年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 金 (かね / かねへん (metal/gold)) radical. At 14 strokes, 銅 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 金 (かね / かねへん (metal/gold)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 14 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 銅?
For 銅 (JLPT N2), the Onyomi is ドウ and the Kunyomi is あかがね. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ドウ) when 銅 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (あかがね) when 銅 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 銅 includes 銅 (あかがね (akagane) — copper).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 銅 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 14 strokes of 銅 (copper), 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 銅 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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