How to Write 雲 (cloud) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 12-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) character 雲 (“cloud”), indexed under the 雨 (あめ / あめかんむり (rain)) radical. Practice 雲 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 雲 (くも (kumo) — cloud), 雲 (ぐも (gumo) — cloud).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (雲)
Primary Radical (部首): 雨 — あめ / あめかんむり (rain)
Radical Position: Top (Kanmuri / 冠) (冠 (Kanmuri))
Semantic Theme: Rain, thunder, clouds, frost, snow, and atmospheric phenomena
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生) (JLPT N2). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ウン) when 雲 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (くも, -ぐも) when 雲 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (12画): At 12 strokes, 雲 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 雨 (あめ / あめかんむり (rain)) radical (Top (Kanmuri / 冠) 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: 雨 (あめ / あめかんむり (rain))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 12 strokes under radical 雨.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 雲
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 雲 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 雲 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 雲 ("cloud") is written with 12 strokes (12画) as a JLPT N2 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 雨 (あめ / あめかんむり (rain)) radical. At 12 strokes, 雲 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 雨 (あめ / あめかんむり (rain)) radical (Top (Kanmuri / 冠) 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 雲?
For 雲 (JLPT N2), the Onyomi is ウン and the Kunyomi is くも, -ぐも. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ウン) when 雲 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (くも, -ぐも) when 雲 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 雲 includes 雲 (くも (kumo) — cloud), 雲 (ぐも (gumo) — cloud).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 雲 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 12 strokes of 雲 (cloud), start with the 雨 (あめ / あめかんむり (rain)) in the Top (Kanmuri / 冠) (冠 (Kanmuri)) 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 雲 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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