How to Write a Kanji by Hand Correctly

Basic Rules of Stroke Order

1. From top to bottom: upper elements are written before lower ones (三 — three horizontals in a row from top).
2. From left to right: the left part of the character before the right (林 — first the left tree).
3. Horizontal before vertical at intersections (十 — first the horizontal).
4. Central stroke before side strokes in symmetrical characters (小, 水).
5. Enclosure before contents, but the bottom stroke of the frame is last (国, 回).
6. The penetrating vertical is written at the end (中, 車).

Why All This Is Needed

Three reasons. Cursive writing: when writing quickly, strokes merge, and the correct order makes the result readable. Dictionary: characters are searched by stroke count, and it is easy to count only with the correct division. Handwriting input: the phone recognizes the character by trajectory, and incorrect order disrupts recognition.

Where People Most Often Make Mistakes

国 — значение: country, state — онъёми: コク — кунъёми: くに — 8 штрих(ов). 国 — the frame is not written entirely: first three sides, then the contents, and only at the end the bottom stroke. Click 'Show order'.

• They close the frame immediately — the character is 'closed' before writing the inside.
• They draw the vertical from bottom to top: direction matters, and it is visible in fast writing.
• They write 右 and 左 the same way, although they have a different first stroke — this is a classic trap.
• They start 必 with the central stroke, although the order there is special and is simply memorized.
• What not to do: do not copy the shape from the font — printed kanji differs from handwritten, especially in 令 and 心.

What to Write With

For learning, a regular pen is fine: a brush adds complexity that is not needed at the start. A grid (原稿用紙 or a simple square) is more useful: it maintains proportions, and it is precisely because of floating proportions that handwritten kanji most often looks unsteady.

FAQ

In what order are the strokes of a kanji written?

From top to bottom, from left to right, horizontal before vertical, enclosure before contents, the bottom stroke of the frame is last.

Why follow the stroke order?

For the readability of cursive writing, counting strokes when searching in a dictionary, and recognition of handwriting input on the phone.

What should I use to write kanji for practice?

A regular pen in a grid. The brush is a separate art; at the start it only gets in the way.

Can I copy the shape from the font?

Not advisable: the printed form differs from the handwritten one, especially for 令, 心, and 糸.