吸: the kanji for inhale; suck in
吸 is a JLPT N3 kanji that means inhale; suck in. Below are its readings, 3 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
吸 is written in 6 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
吸 has 2 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 3 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
キュウ (kyuu)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 呼吸こきゅう · kokyū | breathing |
| 吸収きゅうしゅう · kyūshū | absorption |
すう (suu)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 吸うすう · suu | to inhale; to smoke |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 深呼吸をして落ち着いた。Shinkokyū o shite ochitsuita.I took a deep breath and calmed down.
- 植物は二酸化炭素を吸収する。Shokubutsu wa nisankatanso o kyūshū suru.Plants absorb carbon dioxide.
- 新鮮な空気を吸いに外へ出た。Shinsen na kūki o sui ni soto e deta.I went outside to breathe fresh air.
- 彼はたばこを吸わない。Kare wa tabako o suwanai.He doesn't smoke.
- 緊張した時は呼吸を整えるといい。Kinchō shita toki wa kokyū o totonoeru to ii.When you're nervous, it helps to steady your breathing.
Questions about 吸
How many strokes does 吸 have?
吸 is written in 6 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 吸?
The on readings are kyuu (キュウ). The kun readings are suu (すう).
What JLPT level is 吸?
N3. 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 N3 falls between the former Levels 2 and 3.
More JLPT N3 kanji
Body and health
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 吸
- 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.