How to Write 黙 (silence, become silent, stop speaking, leave as is) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 15-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 黙 (“silence, become silent, stop speaking, leave as is”), indexed under the 黑 (くろ (black)) radical. Practice 黙 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 黙る (だまる (damaru) — silence), 黙す (もだす (modasu) — silence).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (黙)
Primary Radical (部首): 黑 — くろ (black)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 黑
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (モク, ボク) when 黙 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (だま.る, もだ.す) when 黙 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (15画): At 15 strokes, 黙 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 黑 (くろ (black)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 15 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 黑 (くろ (black))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 15 strokes under radical 黑.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 黙
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 黙 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 黙 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 黙 ("silence, become silent, stop speaking, leave as is") is written with 15 strokes (15画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 黑 (くろ (black)) radical. At 15 strokes, 黙 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 黑 (くろ (black)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 15 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 黙?
For 黙 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is モク, ボク and the Kunyomi is だま.る, もだ.す. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (モク, ボク) when 黙 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (だま.る, もだ.す) when 黙 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 黙 includes 黙る (だまる (damaru) — silence), 黙す (もだす (modasu) — silence).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 黙 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 15 strokes of 黙 (silence, become silent, stop speaking, leave as is), 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 黙 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N1 Characters to Practice Next
View Full JLPT N1 Kanji List →Unlock All 2,000+ JLPT N5–N1 Kanji, AI Sensei & Unlimited Genkō Yōshi PDF Books
Get lifetime access to all 2,136 Jōyō Kanji (JLPT N5–N1), AI Kanji Sensei mnemonics, and unlimited Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheets for a one-time payment of $17.99 USD (10% OFF the $19.99 Lifetime Pro Pass with promo code KANJI10). Zero monthly subscriptions!