久: the kanji for long time
久 is a JLPT N2 kanji that means long time. Below are its readings, 5 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
久 is written in 3 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
久 has 3 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 5 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
キュウ (kyuu)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 永久えいきゅう · eikyū | permanence; eternity |
| 持久力じきゅうりょく · jikyūryoku | stamina; endurance |
ク (ku)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 久遠くおん · kuon | eternity (literary) |
ひさしい (hisashii)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 久しいひさしい · hisashii | long (time) |
| 久しぶりひさしぶり · hisashiburi | after a long time |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 久しぶりに高校の友達に会った。Hisashiburi ni kōkō no tomodachi ni atta.I met a high school friend for the first time in a long while.
- マラソンには持久力が必要だ。Marason ni wa jikyūryoku ga hitsuyō da.Running a marathon requires stamina.
- この写真は永久に大切にしたい。Kono shashin wa eikyū ni taisetsu ni shitai.I want to treasure this photo forever.
- 彼が国を出てから久しい。Kare ga kuni o dete kara hisashii.It has been a long time since he left the country.
- お久しぶりです。お元気でしたか。Ohisashiburi desu. Ogenki deshita ka.It has been a long time. How have you been?
Questions about 久
How many strokes does 久 have?
久 is written in 3 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 久?
The on readings are kyuu (キュウ), ku (ク). The kun readings are hisashii (ひさしい).
What JLPT level is 久?
N2. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N2 is designed to match the former Level 2.
More JLPT N2 kanji
Numbers, time and quantity
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 久
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.