以: the kanji for by means of and from (a point)
以 is a JLPT N4 kanji that means by means of, from (a point). Below are its readings, 8 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
以 is written in 5 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
以 has 1 reading in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 8 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
イ (i)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 以上いじょう · ijō | more than; that is all |
| 以下いか · ika | less than; below |
| 以内いない · inai | within |
| 以外いがい · igai | except; other than |
| 以前いぜん · izen | before; formerly |
| 以後いご · igo | after; from now on |
| 以来いらい · irai | since |
| 以降いこう · ikō | on and after |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 以上です。Ijō desu.That's all.
- 三日以内にお返事します。Mikka inai ni o-henji shimasu.I'll reply within three days.
- 六時以降は電話がつながりません。Rokuji ikō wa denwa ga tsunagarimasen.Phone lines are closed after six.
- 日本に来て以来、毎日日本語を話しています。Nihon ni kite irai, mainichi Nihongo o hanashite imasu.Since coming to Japan, I've spoken Japanese every day.
- 以前、大阪で働いていました。Izen, Ōsaka de hataraite imashita.I used to work in Osaka.
- 会員以外の方も参加できます。Kaiin igai no kata mo sanka dekimasu.Non-members can also take part.
Questions about 以
How many strokes does 以 have?
以 is written in 5 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 以?
The on readings are i (イ). 以 has no kun reading in the Jōyō Kanji Table.
Does 以上 include the number?
Yes. 二十歳以上 (hatachi ijō) means twenty or older, including twenty. 以下 (ika) also includes the number. To exclude it, Japanese uses 未満 (miman, less than) or を超える (o koeru, more than).
What JLPT level is 以?
N4. 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 N4 is designed to match the former Level 3.
More JLPT N4 kanji
Study and thinking
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 以
- 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.