How to Write 階 (storey, stair, counter for storeys of a building) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 12-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) character 階 (“storey, stair, counter for storeys of a building”), indexed under the 阜 (こざとへん (hill/mound)) radical. Practice 階 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 階 (きざはし (kizahashi) — storey).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (階)
Primary Radical (部首): 阜 — こざとへん (hill/mound)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 阜
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生) (JLPT N2). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (カイ) when 階 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (きざはし) when 階 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (12画): At 12 strokes, 階 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 阜 (こざとへん (hill/mound)) radical (Standalone / Integrated 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: 阜 (こざとへん (hill/mound))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 12 strokes under radical 阜.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 階
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 階 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 階 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 階 ("storey, stair, counter for storeys of a building") is written with 12 strokes (12画) as a JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 阜 (こざとへん (hill/mound)) radical. At 12 strokes, 階 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 阜 (こざとへん (hill/mound)) radical (Standalone / Integrated 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 階?
For 階 (JLPT N2), the Onyomi is カイ and the Kunyomi is きざはし. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (カイ) when 階 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (きざはし) when 階 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 階 includes 階 (きざはし (kizahashi) — storey).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 階 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 12 strokes of 階 (storey, stair, counter for storeys of a building), start with the 阜 (こざとへん (hill/mound)) 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 階 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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