How to Write 錠 (lock, fetters, shackles) — 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 錠 (“lock, fetters, shackles”), indexed under the 金 (かね / かねへん (metal/gold)) radical. Practice 錠 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 錠 (ジョウ / じょう (jou) — lock).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (錠)
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 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N1). 錠 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ジョウ) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (16画): At 16 strokes, 錠 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 16 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 金 (かね / かねへん (metal/gold))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 16 strokes under radical 金.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 錠
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 錠 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 錠 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 錠 ("lock, fetters, shackles") 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 金 (かね / かねへん (metal/gold)) radical. At 16 strokes, 錠 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 16 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 錠?
For 錠 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is ジョウ and the Kunyomi is —. 錠 is primarily read using its Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ジョウ) inside formal Jukugo compound words rather than as a standalone Kunyomi stem. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 錠 includes 錠 (ジョウ / じょう (jou) — lock).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 錠 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 16 strokes of 錠 (lock, fetters, shackles), 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 錠 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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