How to Write 馬 (horse) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 10-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) character 馬 (“horse”), indexed under the 馬 (うま (horse)) radical. Practice 馬 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 馬 (うま (uma) — horse), 馬 (ま (ma) — horse).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (馬)
Primary Radical (部首): 馬 — うま (horse)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 馬
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生) (JLPT N3). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (バ, メ, マ, ボ, モ) when 馬 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (うま, ま) when 馬 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (10画): Written with 10 strokes, 馬 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 馬 (うま (horse)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 馬 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 8 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 馬 (うま (horse))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 10 strokes under radical 馬.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 馬
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 馬 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 馬 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 馬 ("horse") is written with 10 strokes (10画) as a JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 馬 (うま (horse)) radical. Written with 10 strokes, 馬 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 馬 (うま (horse)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 馬 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 8 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 馬?
For 馬 (JLPT N3), the Onyomi is バ, メ, マ, ボ, モ and the Kunyomi is うま, ま. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (バ, メ, マ, ボ, モ) when 馬 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (うま, ま) when 馬 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 馬 includes 馬 (うま (uma) — horse), 馬 (ま (ma) — horse).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 馬 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 10 strokes of 馬 (horse), start with the 馬 (うま (horse)) 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 馬 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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