話 — tale, talk
Learn the correct stroke order for 話 (tale), a 13-stroke kanji.
Stroke Order
Step-by-Step Diagram
Try Writing It
Practice writing each stroke in the correct order and direction. Start from the green dot.
Draw stroke 1 of 13 — start from the green dot
Common Words
Usage & Examples
Usage Notes
The kanji 話 (tale) is taught in grade 2 of Japanese elementary school and appears at JLPT N5 level. It has 13 strokes with radical 言.
In newspaper frequency rankings, 話 is #134, making it one of the most commonly used kanji.
Example Words in Context
Practice Sheet
Trace then write on your own. Print this row as a PDF practice sheet.
Related Kanji
Frequently Asked Questions
How many strokes does 話 have?
The kanji 話 (tale) has 13 strokes. Watch the animation above to see the correct order.
What is the correct stroke order for 話?
話 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 話 mean?
話 means: tale, talk. On'yomi readings: ワ. Kun'yomi readings: はな.す, はなし.
What JLPT level is 話?
話 is a JLPT N5 kanji. This is a beginner-level kanji.