How to Write 鬱 (gloom, depression, melancholy, luxuriant) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 29-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 鬱 (“gloom, depression, melancholy, luxuriant”), indexed under the 鬯 (ちょう (sacrificial wine)) radical. Practice 鬱 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 鬱する (うっする (ussuru) — gloom), 鬱ぐ (ふさぐ (fusagu) — gloom).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (鬱)
Primary Radical (部首): 鬯 — ちょう (sacrificial wine)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 鬯
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ウツ) when 鬱 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (うっ.する, ふさ.ぐ, しげ.る) when 鬱 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (29画): At 29 strokes, 鬱 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 鬯 (ちょう (sacrificial wine)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 29 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 鬯 (ちょう (sacrificial wine))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 29 strokes under radical 鬯.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 鬱
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 鬱 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 鬱 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 鬱 ("gloom, depression, melancholy, luxuriant") is written with 29 strokes (29画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 鬯 (ちょう (sacrificial wine)) radical. At 29 strokes, 鬱 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 鬯 (ちょう (sacrificial wine)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 29 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 鬱?
For 鬱 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is ウツ and the Kunyomi is うっ.する, ふさ.ぐ, しげ.る. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ウツ) when 鬱 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (うっ.する, ふさ.ぐ, しげ.る) when 鬱 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 鬱 includes 鬱する (うっする (ussuru) — gloom), 鬱ぐ (ふさぐ (fusagu) — gloom).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 鬱 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 29 strokes of 鬱 (gloom, depression, melancholy, luxuriant), start with the 鬯 (ちょう (sacrificial wine)) 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 鬱 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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