How to Write 長 (long, leader, superior) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 8-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N5 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) character 長 (“long, leader, superior”), indexed under the 長 (ながい (long)) radical. Practice 長 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 長い (ながい (nagai) — long), 校長 (こうちょう (kouchou) — principal), 部長 (ぶちょう (buchou) — department manager).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (長)
Primary Radical (部首): 長 — ながい (long)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 長
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生) (JLPT N5). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (チョウ) when 長 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (なが.い, おさ) when 長 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (8画): Written with 8 strokes, 長 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 長 (ながい (long)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 長 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 6 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 長 (ながい (long))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 8 strokes under radical 長.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 長
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 長 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 長 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 長 ("long, leader, superior") is written with 8 strokes (8画) as a JLPT N5 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 長 (ながい (long)) radical. Written with 8 strokes, 長 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 長 (ながい (long)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 長 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 6 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 長?
For 長 (JLPT N5), the Onyomi is チョウ and the Kunyomi is なが.い, おさ. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (チョウ) when 長 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (なが.い, おさ) when 長 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 長 includes 長い (ながい (nagai) — long), 校長 (こうちょう (kouchou) — principal), 部長 (ぶちょう (buchou) — department manager).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 長 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 8 strokes of 長 (long, leader, superior), start with the 長 (ながい (long)) in the Standalone / Integrated (部首) 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 長 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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