How to Write 首 (neck, counter for songs and poems) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 9-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) character 首 (“neck, counter for songs and poems”), indexed under the 首 (くび (neck/head)) radical. Practice 首 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 首 (くび (kubi) — neck).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (首)
Primary Radical (部首): 首 — くび (neck/head)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 首
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生) (JLPT N3). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (シュ) when 首 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (くび) when 首 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (9画): Written with 9 strokes, 首 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 首 (くび (neck/head)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 首 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: 首 (くび (neck/head))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 9 strokes under radical 首.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 首
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 首 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 首 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 首 ("neck, counter for songs and poems") is written with 9 strokes (9画) as a JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 首 (くび (neck/head)) radical. Written with 9 strokes, 首 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 首 (くび (neck/head)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 首 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 首?
For 首 (JLPT N3), the Onyomi is シュ and the Kunyomi is くび. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (シュ) when 首 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (くび) when 首 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 首 includes 首 (くび (kubi) — neck).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 首 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 9 strokes of 首 (neck, counter for songs and poems), start with the 首 (くび (neck/head)) 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 首 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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