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放

放 — set free, release, fire

Learn the correct stroke order for 放 (set free), a 8-stroke kanji.

JLPT N3Grade 38 strokes

Stroke Order

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Stroke 0 / 8
On'yomi (音読み)ホウhou
Kun'yomi (訓読み)はな.すhanasu、-っぱな.しppanashi、はな.つhanatsu、はな.れるhanareru、こ.くkoku、ほう.るhouru
Strokes8
Radical攴
Frequency#288
Meaningsset free, release, fire, shoot, emit, banish, liberate

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

解放かいほうrelease; unleashing; liberationnoun
開放かいほうopening (a door, window, etc.); leaving opennoun
釈放しゃくほうrelease; liberation; acquittalnoun
追放ついほうexile; banishment; evictionnoun
放すはなすto release; to let go; to freeverb
放つはなつto fire (gun, arrow, questions, etc.); to shoot; to hit (e.g. baseball)verb

Usage & Examples

Usage Notes

The kanji 放 (set free) is taught in grade 3 of Japanese elementary school and appears at JLPT N3 level. It has 8 strokes with radical 攴.

In newspaper frequency rankings, 放 is #288, making it one of the most commonly used kanji.

Example Words in Context

解放かいほう — release; unleashing; liberation
開放かいほう — opening (a door, window, etc.); leaving open
釈放しゃくほう — release; liberation; acquittal

Practice Sheet

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

Related Kanji

Same radical (攴)

改reformation攻aggression政politics故happenstance敏cleverness教teach敗failure救salvation

Same reading

法method報report訪call on抱embrace

Frequently Asked Questions

How many strokes does 放 have?

The kanji 放 (set free) has 8 strokes. Watch the animation above to see the correct order.

What is the correct stroke order for 放?

放 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 放 mean?

放 means: set free, release, fire, shoot, emit, banish, liberate. On'yomi readings: ホウ. Kun'yomi readings: はな.す, -っぱな.し, はな.つ, はな.れる, こ.く, ほう.る.

What JLPT level is 放?

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