How to Write 雷 (thunder, lightning bolt) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 13-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 雷 (“thunder, lightning bolt”), indexed under the 雨 (あめ / あめかんむり (rain)) radical. Practice 雷 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 雷 (かみなり (kaminari) — thunder), 雷 (いかずち (ikazuchi) — thunder).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (雷)
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 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ライ) when 雷 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (かみなり, いかずち, いかづち) when 雷 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (13画): At 13 strokes, 雷 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 13 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 13 strokes under radical 雨.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 雷
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 雷 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 雷 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 雷 ("thunder, lightning bolt") is written with 13 strokes (13画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 雨 (あめ / あめかんむり (rain)) radical. At 13 strokes, 雷 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 13 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 雷?
For 雷 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is ライ and the Kunyomi is かみなり, いかずち, いかづち. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ライ) when 雷 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (かみなり, いかずち, いかづち) when 雷 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 雷 includes 雷 (かみなり (kaminari) — thunder), 雷 (いかずち (ikazuchi) — thunder).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 雷 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 13 strokes of 雷 (thunder, lightning bolt), 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 雷 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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