勉: the kanji for make an effort
勉 is a JLPT N4 kanji that means make an effort. Below are its readings, 6 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
勉 is written in 10 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
勉 has 1 reading in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 6 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
ベン (ben)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 勉強べんきょう · benkyō | study |
| 勤勉きんべん · kinben | diligent |
| 勉強会べんきょうかい · benkyōkai | study session |
| 勉強中べんきょうちゅう · benkyōchū | studying |
| 勉学べんがく · bengaku | studies |
| 勉強不足べんきょうぶそく · benkyō busoku | not having studied enough |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 毎晩一時間、日本語を勉強しています。Maiban ichijikan, Nihongo o benkyō shite imasu.I study Japanese for an hour every night.
- 社内で勉強会を開いています。Shanai de benkyōkai o hiraite imasu.We hold study sessions within the company.
- 日本人は勤勉だとよく言われます。Nihonjin wa kinben da to yoku iwaremasu.People often say the Japanese are hardworking.
- 私の勉強不足でした。Watashi no benkyō busoku deshita.That was due to my lack of preparation.
- 大変勉強になりました。Taihen benkyō ni narimashita.I learned a great deal.
- 今、経済の勉強中です。Ima, keizai no benkyōchū desu.I'm studying economics right now.
Questions about 勉
How many strokes does 勉 have?
勉 is written in 10 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 勉?
The on readings are ben (ベン). 勉 has no kun reading in the Jōyō Kanji Table.
What does 勉強になりました mean?
勉強になりました (benkyō ni narimashita) means "I learned a lot" or "That was very informative." It is a polite way to thank someone after a meeting, a talk or advice.
What JLPT level is 勉?
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 勉
- 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.