How to Write 麻 (hemp, flax, numb) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 11-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 麻 (“hemp, flax, numb”), indexed under the 麻 (あさ (hemp)) radical. Practice 麻 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 麻 (あさ (asa) — hemp).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (麻)
Primary Radical (部首): 麻 — あさ (hemp)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 麻
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (マ, マア) when 麻 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (あさ) when 麻 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (11画): Written with 11 strokes, 麻 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 麻 (あさ (hemp)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 麻 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 9 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 麻 (あさ (hemp))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 11 strokes under radical 麻.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 麻
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 麻 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 麻 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 麻 ("hemp, flax, numb") is written with 11 strokes (11画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 麻 (あさ (hemp)) radical. Written with 11 strokes, 麻 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 麻 (あさ (hemp)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 麻 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 9 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 麻?
For 麻 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is マ, マア and the Kunyomi is あさ. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (マ, マア) when 麻 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (あさ) when 麻 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 麻 includes 麻 (あさ (asa) — hemp).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 麻 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 11 strokes of 麻 (hemp, flax, numb), start with the 麻 (あさ (hemp)) 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 麻 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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