How to Write 黒 (black) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 11-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) character 黒 (“black”), indexed under the 黑 (くろ (black)) radical. Practice 黒 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 黒 (くろ (kuro) — black), 黒ずむ (くろずむ (kurozumu) — black).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (黒)
Primary Radical (部首): 黑 — くろ (black)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 黑
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生) (JLPT N4). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (コク) when 黒 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (くろ, くろ.ずむ, くろ.い) when 黒 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (11画): Written with 11 strokes, 黒 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 黑 (くろ (black)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 黑 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: 黑 (くろ (black))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 11 strokes under radical 黑.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 黒
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 黒 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 黒 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 黒 ("black") is written with 11 strokes (11画) as a JLPT N4 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 黑 (くろ (black)) radical. Written with 11 strokes, 黒 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 黑 (くろ (black)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 黑 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 黒?
For 黒 (JLPT N4), the Onyomi is コク and the Kunyomi is くろ, くろ.ずむ, くろ.い. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (コク) when 黒 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (くろ, くろ.ずむ, くろ.い) when 黒 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 黒 includes 黒 (くろ (kuro) — black), 黒ずむ (くろずむ (kurozumu) — black).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 黒 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 11 strokes of 黒 (black), start with the 黑 (くろ (black)) 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 黒 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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