How to Write 面 (mask, face, features, surface) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 9-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) character 面 (“mask, face, features, surface”), indexed under the 面 (めん (face)) radical. Practice 面 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 面 (おも (omo) — mask), 面 (おもて (omote) — mask).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (面)
Primary Radical (部首): 面 — めん (face)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 面
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生) (JLPT N3). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (メン, ベン) when 面 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (おも, おもて, つら) when 面 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (9画): Written with 9 strokes, 面 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 面 (めん (face)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 面 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 7 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 面 (めん (face))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 9 strokes under radical 面.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 面
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 面 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 面 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 面 ("mask, face, features, surface") is written with 9 strokes (9画) as a JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 面 (めん (face)) radical. Written with 9 strokes, 面 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 面 (めん (face)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 面 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 7 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 面?
For 面 (JLPT N3), the Onyomi is メン, ベン and the Kunyomi is おも, おもて, つら. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (メン, ベン) when 面 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (おも, おもて, つら) when 面 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 面 includes 面 (おも (omo) — mask), 面 (おもて (omote) — mask).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 面 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 9 strokes of 面 (mask, face, features, surface), start with the 面 (めん (face)) 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 面 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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