How to Write 錬 (tempering, refine, drill, train, polish) — 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 錬 (“tempering, refine, drill, train, polish”), indexed under the 金 (かね / かねへん (metal/gold)) radical. Practice 錬 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 錬る (ねる (neru) — tempering).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (錬)
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). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (レン) when 錬 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ね.る) when 錬 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (16画): At 16 strokes, 錬 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 錬
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 錬 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 錬 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 錬 ("tempering, refine, drill, train, polish") 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, 錬 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 錬?
For 錬 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is レン and the Kunyomi is ね.る. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (レン) when 錬 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ね.る) when 錬 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 錬 includes 錬る (ねる (neru) — tempering).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 錬 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 16 strokes of 錬 (tempering, refine, drill, train, polish), 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 錬 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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