How to Write 鶴 (crane, stork) — 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 鶴 (“crane, stork”), indexed under the 鳥 (とり (bird)) radical. Practice 鶴 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 鶴 (つる (tsuru) — crane).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (鶴)
Primary Radical (部首): 鳥 — とり (bird)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 鳥
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (カク) when 鶴 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (つる) when 鶴 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (21画): At 21 strokes, 鶴 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 鳥 (とり (bird)) radical (Standalone / Integrated 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: 鳥 (とり (bird))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 21 strokes under radical 鳥.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 鶴
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 鶴 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 鶴 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 鶴 ("crane, stork") 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 鳥 (とり (bird)) radical. At 21 strokes, 鶴 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 鳥 (とり (bird)) radical (Standalone / Integrated 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 鶴?
For 鶴 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is カク and the Kunyomi is つる. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (カク) when 鶴 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (つる) when 鶴 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 鶴 includes 鶴 (つる (tsuru) — crane).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 鶴 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 21 strokes of 鶴 (crane, stork), start with the 鳥 (とり (bird)) 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 鶴 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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