How to Write 頭 (head, counter for large animals) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 16-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) character 頭 (“head, counter for large animals”), indexed under the 頁 (おおがい (head/page)) radical. Practice 頭 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 頭 (あたま (atama) — head), 頭 (かしら (kashira) — head).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (頭)
Primary Radical (部首): 頁 — おおがい (head/page)
Radical Position: Right (Tsukuri / 旁) (旁 (Tsukuri))
Semantic Theme: Head, face, forehead, titles, and reading pages
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生) (JLPT N3). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (トウ, ズ, ト) when 頭 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (あたま, かしら, -がしら, かぶり) when 頭 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (16画): At 16 strokes, 頭 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 頁 (おおがい (head/page)) radical (Right (Tsukuri / 旁) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 16 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 頁 (おおがい (head/page))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 16 strokes under radical 頁.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 頭
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 頭 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 頭 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 頭 ("head, counter for large animals") is written with 16 strokes (16画) as a JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 頁 (おおがい (head/page)) radical. At 16 strokes, 頭 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 頁 (おおがい (head/page)) radical (Right (Tsukuri / 旁) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 16 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 頭?
For 頭 (JLPT N3), the Onyomi is トウ, ズ, ト and the Kunyomi is あたま, かしら, -がしら, かぶり. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (トウ, ズ, ト) when 頭 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (あたま, かしら, -がしら, かぶり) when 頭 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 頭 includes 頭 (あたま (atama) — head), 頭 (かしら (kashira) — head).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 頭 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 16 strokes of 頭 (head, counter for large animals), start with the 頁 (おおがい (head/page)) in the Right (Tsukuri / 旁) (旁 (Tsukuri)) 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 頭 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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