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性

性 — sex, gender, nature

Learn the correct stroke order for 性 (sex), a 8-stroke kanji.

JLPT N3Grade 58 strokes

Stroke Order

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Stroke 0 / 8
On'yomi (音読み)セイsei、ショウshou
Kun'yomi (訓読み)さがsaga
Strokes8
Radical心
Frequency#104
Meaningssex, gender, nature

Step-by-Step Diagram

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Try Writing It

Practice writing each stroke in the correct order and direction. Start from the green dot.

Draw stroke 1 of 8 — start from the green dot

Common Words

悪性あくせいmalignant (cancer); virulent; pernicious (anemia, anaemia)noun
異性いせいthe opposite sexnoun
陰性いんせいnegative (result)noun
活性かっせいactivitynoun
感性かんせいsensitivity; sensitiveness; sense (of ...)noun
気性きしょうdisposition; temperament; tempernoun

Usage & Examples

Usage Notes

The kanji 性 (sex) is taught in grade 5 of Japanese elementary school and appears at JLPT N3 level. It has 8 strokes with radical 心.

In newspaper frequency rankings, 性 is #104, making it one of the most commonly used kanji.

Example Words in Context

悪性あくせい — malignant (cancer); virulent; pernicious (anemia, anaemia)
異性いせい — the opposite sex
陰性いんせい — negative (result)

Practice Sheet

Trace then write on your own. Print this row as a PDF practice sheet.

Related Kanji

Same radical (心)

心heart必invariably忙busy応apply志intention快cheerful忘forget忍endure

Same reading

政politics相inter-制system成turn into済settle (debt, etc.)勝victory情feelings歳year-end

Frequently Asked Questions

How many strokes does 性 have?

The kanji 性 (sex) has 8 strokes. Watch the animation above to see the correct order.

What is the correct stroke order for 性?

性 follows the standard Japanese stroke order as taught in schools. Use the step-by-step diagram or the "Try Writing" tool above to practice each stroke in sequence.

What does 性 mean?

性 means: sex, gender, nature. On'yomi readings: セイ, ショウ. Kun'yomi readings: さが.

What JLPT level is 性?

性 is a JLPT N3 kanji. This is an intermediate kanji.