How to Write 開 (open, unfold, unseal) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 12-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) character 開 (“open, unfold, unseal”), indexed under the 門 (もん / もんがまえ (gate)) radical. Practice 開 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 開く (ひらく (hiraku) — open), 開き (ひらき (hiraki) — open).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (開)
Primary Radical (部首): 門 — もん / もんがまえ (gate)
Radical Position: Enclosure (Kamae / 構) (構 (Kamae))
Semantic Theme: Gates, doorways, rooms, entrances, and barriers
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生) (JLPT N4). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (カイ) when 開 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ひら.く, ひら.き, -びら.き, ひら.ける, あ.く, あ.ける) when 開 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (12画): At 12 strokes, 開 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 門 (もん / もんがまえ (gate)) radical (Enclosure (Kamae / 構) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 12 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 門 (もん / もんがまえ (gate))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 12 strokes under radical 門.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 開
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 開 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 開 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 開 ("open, unfold, unseal") is written with 12 strokes (12画) as a JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 門 (もん / もんがまえ (gate)) radical. At 12 strokes, 開 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 門 (もん / もんがまえ (gate)) radical (Enclosure (Kamae / 構) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 12 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 開?
For 開 (JLPT N4), the Onyomi is カイ and the Kunyomi is ひら.く, ひら.き, -びら.き, ひら.ける, あ.く, あ.ける. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (カイ) when 開 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (ひら.く, ひら.き, -びら.き, ひら.ける, あ.く, あ.ける) when 開 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 開 includes 開く (ひらく (hiraku) — open), 開き (ひらき (hiraki) — open).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 開 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 12 strokes of 開 (open, unfold, unseal), start with the 門 (もん / もんがまえ (gate)) in the Enclosure (Kamae / 構) (構 (Kamae)) 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 開 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N4 Characters to Practice Next
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