How to Write 顔 (face, expression) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 18-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) character 顔 (“face, expression”), indexed under the 頁 (おおがい (head/page)) radical. Practice 顔 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 顔 (かお (kao) — face).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (顔)
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 (ガン) when 顔 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (かお) when 顔 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (18画): At 18 strokes, 顔 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 18 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 18 strokes under radical 頁.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 顔
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 顔 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 顔 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 顔 ("face, expression") is written with 18 strokes (18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 18 strokes, 顔 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 18 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 顔?
For 顔 (JLPT N3), the Onyomi is ガン and the Kunyomi is かお. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ガン) when 顔 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (かお) when 顔 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 顔 includes 顔 (かお (kao) — face).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 顔 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 18 strokes of 顔 (face, expression), 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 顔 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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