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操

操 — maneuver, manipulate, operate

Learn the correct stroke order for 操 (maneuver), a 16-stroke kanji.

JLPT N1Grade 616 strokes

Stroke Order

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Stroke 0 / 16
On'yomi (音読み)ソウsou、サンsan
Kun'yomi (訓読み)みさおmisao、あやつ.るayatsuru
Strokes16
Radical手
Frequency#1016
Meaningsmaneuver, manipulate, operate, steer, chastity, virginity, fidelity

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 16 — start from the green dot

Common Words

節操せっそうintegrity; fidelity; constancynoun
操るあやつるto operate (e.g. a machine); to handle; to manageverb
操業そうぎょうoperation (of a machine, factory, fishing boat, etc.); worknoun
操作そうさoperation; management; handlingnoun
操縦そうじゅうsteering; piloting; flyingnoun
体操たいそうgymnastics; physical exercisesnoun

Usage & Examples

Usage Notes

The kanji 操 (maneuver) is taught in grade 6 of Japanese elementary school and appears at JLPT N1 level. It has 16 strokes with radical 手.

In newspaper frequency rankings, 操 is #1016, making it a moderately common kanji.

Example Words in Context

節操せっそう — integrity; fidelity; constancy
操るあやつる — to operate (e.g. a machine); to handle; to manage
操業そうぎょう — operation (of a machine, factory, fishing boat, etc.); work

Practice Sheet

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

Related Kanji

Same radical (手)

才genius手hand打strike払pay扱handle投throw技skill批criticism

Same reading

創genesis葬interment繰winding喪miss宗religion扱handle奏play music騒boisterous

Frequently Asked Questions

How many strokes does 操 have?

The kanji 操 (maneuver) has 16 strokes. Watch the animation above to see the correct order.

What is the correct stroke order for 操?

操 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 操 mean?

操 means: maneuver, manipulate, operate, steer, chastity, virginity, fidelity. On'yomi readings: ソウ, サン. Kun'yomi readings: みさお, あやつ.る.

What JLPT level is 操?

操 is a JLPT N1 kanji. This is an advanced kanji.