Japanese Symbols

Japanese Kanji

生

sei

life · genuine · birth

Grade 1 · JLPT N4 · 5 strokes

Readings

  • ONセイsei
  • ONショウshou
  • KUNい.きるi
  • KUNい.かすi
  • KUNい.けるi

Meaning

Life, genuine, birth.

Stroke order

Stroke order for 生

生 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 5 strokes, this character appears in numerous compound words throughout written Japanese.

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