1. Kanji Breakdown: 福
This kanji is very auspicious and represents good fortune and happiness.
Meaning: Good fortune, blessing, happiness, luck.
Reading:
Onyomi (Sino-Japanese reading): フク (fuku)
Kunyomi (Native Japanese reading): None in common modern use.
The kanji is a compound ideograph (会意文字). It consists of two parts:
Left (示 / 礻): This is the "altar" or "spirit" radical (しめすへん), which relates to gods,祭祀, and spirituality.
Right (畐): This component represents a full wine vessel, symbolizing abundance and fullness.
So, the original meaning is a "spiritual blessing" or "abundance from the gods," which evolved to mean general good fortune and happiness.
2. Stroke Order and Writing
Learning the correct stroke order is crucial for balanced and beautiful kanji. "福" has 13 strokes.
Here is the stroke order diagram and explanation:
Total Strokes: 13
Start with the left radical "礻" (altar radical):
Then, write the right part "畐":
Key Writing Tips:
Write from left to right, top to bottom.
The left radical "礻" is narrower than the right part "畐".
Pay attention to the balance. The right part "畐" should be slightly larger and square.
The final stroke is the bottom horizontal line that "seals" the character, giving it a stable feel.
3. Vocabulary and Example Sentences
Here are some common words using "福" and how to use them in sentences.
Vocabulary
福 (ふく, fuku)
Meaning: Good fortune, blessing, happiness.
Example: 福は内、鬼は外！
Romaji: Fuku wa uchi, oni wa soto!
English: Good fortune in! Demons out! (A chant during the Setsubun festival)
幸福 (こうふく, kōfuku)
Meaning: Happiness, well-being, bliss. (A more formal and profound word for happiness).
Example: 家族の健康が私の幸福です。
Romaji: Kazoku no kenkō ga watashi no kōfuku desu.
English: My family's health is my happiness.
福祉 (ふくし, fukushi)
Meaning: Welfare, well-being, social security.
Example: その国は福祉制度が充実している。
Romaji: Sono kuni wa fukushi seido ga jūjitsu shiteiru.
English: That country has a well-developed welfare system.
福袋 (ふくぶくろ, fukubukuro)
Meaning: "Lucky bag" – a bag sold by department stores after New Year's containing mystery items worth more than the purchase price.
Example: 初売りで福袋を買った。
Romaji: Hatsu-uri de fukubukuro o katta.
English: I bought a lucky bag at the New Year's sale.
祝福 (しゅくふく, shukufuku)
Meaning: Blessing, congratulations.
Example: ご結婚をお祝福します。
Romaji: Go-kekkon o o-shukufuku shimasu.
English: I offer my congratulations on your marriage.
Summary
Kanji: 福
Core Meaning: Good Fortune, Blessing, Happiness.
Readings: On'yomi フク (fuku)
Stroke Order: 13 strokes. Remember it's composed of 礻 (left - spirit) and 畐 (right - abundance). Practice writing it step-by-step to master its form.
This kanji is central to many positive and celebratory concepts in Japanese. By mastering its stroke order and vocabulary, you can understand and express some of the most cherished ideals in the culture. Keep practicing