Japanese Kanji

shi

child · sign of the rat · 11PM-1AM

Grade 1 · JLPT N4 · 3 strokes

Readings

  • ONshi
  • ONsu
  • ONtsu
  • KUNko
  • KUN-こ-ko
  • KUNne

Meaning

Child, sign of the rat, 11PM-1AM, first sign of Chinese zodiac.

Stroke order for 子

子 is taught in grade 1 of Japanese elementary school — one of the earliest kanji children learn. In the JLPT proficiency test it appears at N4 (elementary) level. With 3 strokes, this character appears in numerous compound words throughout written Japanese.

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