How to Write 顧 (look back, review, examine oneself, turn around) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 21-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 顧 (“look back, review, examine oneself, turn around”), indexed under the 頁 (おおがい (head/page)) radical. Practice 顧 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 顧みる (かえりみる (kaerimiru) — look back).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (顧)
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 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (コ) when 顧 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (かえり.みる) when 顧 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (21画): At 21 strokes, 顧 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 21 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 21 strokes under radical 頁.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 顧
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 顧 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 顧 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 顧 ("look back, review, examine oneself, turn around") is written with 21 strokes (21画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 頁 (おおがい (head/page)) radical. At 21 strokes, 顧 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 21 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 顧?
For 顧 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is コ and the Kunyomi is かえり.みる. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (コ) when 顧 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (かえり.みる) when 顧 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 顧 includes 顧みる (かえりみる (kaerimiru) — look back).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 顧 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 21 strokes of 顧 (look back, review, examine oneself, turn around), 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 顧 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N1 Characters to Practice Next
View Full JLPT N1 Kanji List →Unlock All 2,000+ JLPT N5–N1 Kanji, AI Sensei & Unlimited Genkō Yōshi PDF Books
Get lifetime access to all 2,136 Jōyō Kanji (JLPT N5–N1), AI Kanji Sensei mnemonics, and unlimited Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheets for a one-time payment of $17.99 USD (10% OFF the $19.99 Lifetime Pro Pass with promo code KANJI10). Zero monthly subscriptions!