Essential Kanji Stroke Order Rules Every JLPT Student Must Know

Proper kanji stroke order isn't just about neat handwriting—it's fundamental to character recognition, muscle memory, and JLPT success. Understanding these 8 core rules will help you write any kanji correctly.

Why Stroke Order Matters for JLPT

Faster recognition - Proper stroke order builds muscle memory
Better handwriting - Characters look more balanced and natural
Cultural understanding - Shows respect for Japanese writing traditions
Test confidence - Some JLPT questions test stroke knowledge indirectly

The 8 Essential Stroke Order Rules

1. Top to Bottom (上から下へ)

Always start from the top and work downward.

Examples:

三 (san, three): Write the top horizontal line first
王 (ō, king): Top horizontal, then middle, then bottom

2. Left to Right (左から右へ)

When strokes are side by side, write left strokes before right strokes.

Examples:

川 (kawa, river): Left vertical, middle vertical, right vertical
小 (shō, small): Left dot, right dot, then hook

3. Horizontal Before Vertical (横が先、縦があと)

When horizontal and vertical lines cross, write horizontal first.

Examples:

十 (jū, ten): Horizontal line first, then vertical
土 (do, earth): Top horizontal, then vertical, then bottom horizontal

4. Center Before Sides (中から外へ)

Write the center stroke first, then the outer strokes.

Examples:

小 (shō, small): Center vertical first, then side dots
水 (mizu, water): Center vertical, then left and right strokes

5. Enclosures Before Contents (囲んでから中身)

Draw the enclosing strokes first, then fill in the contents, then close the bottom.

Examples:

国 (koku, country): Outer box (top and sides), then inner 王, then bottom line
回 (kai, rotate): Outer frame first, then inner 口

6. Slanting Strokes: Left Before Right (左払いから右払い)

When two diagonal strokes meet, write the left-falling stroke before the right-falling stroke.

Examples:

人 (hito, person): Left diagonal first, then right diagonal
八 (hachi, eight): Left stroke, then right stroke

7. Penetrating Strokes Last (突き抜ける線は後)

When a stroke cuts through the entire character, write it last.

Examples:

中 (naka, middle): Box first, then the vertical line that cuts through
書 (kaku, write): All components first, then the final bottom horizontal

8. Bottom-Left Before Bottom-Right (左下から右下)

For the bottom portion of characters, write left components before right components.

Examples:

近 (chika, near): Left 辶 radical before right side
道 (dō, road): Left components before right side completion

Common JLPT Kanji Examples

JLPT N5 Examples:

日 (hi, day): Left vertical, top horizontal, right vertical, bottom horizontal
月 (tsuki, month): Left vertical, top horizontal, middle horizontals, right vertical
火 (hi, fire): Center strokes first, then outer dots

JLPT N4 Examples:

漢 (kan, Chinese): Water radical (left to right), then 又 component
字 (ji, character): Roof radical first, then 子 component inside

Memory Tips for JLPT Students

"Write as you read" - Japanese reads left to right, top to bottom. Write the same way.

"Build from foundation" - Like constructing a building, start with the base structure.

"Complete before crossing" - Finish each component before drawing lines that cross through it.

Practice Makes Perfect

Understanding rules is just the first step. Regular practice with proper stroke order builds the muscle memory essential for JLPT success.

For comprehensive kanji practice with animated stroke order diagrams, visit michikanji.com/kanji. This resource provides step-by-step stroke animations for thousands of kanji, making it perfect for JLPT preparation at all levels.

Quick Reference for JLPT Study

Top → Bottom
Left → Right
Horizontal → Vertical
Center → Sides
Enclosure → Contents → Close
Left diagonal → Right diagonal
Penetrating strokes last
Bottom-left → Bottom-right

Master these 8 rules, and you'll be able to write virtually any kanji with proper stroke order. Combined with regular practice using stroke order diagrams, you'll build the confidence and muscle memory needed for JLPT success.