周: the kanji for around; circumference
周 is a JLPT N2 kanji that means around; circumference. Below are its readings, 5 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
周 is written in 8 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
周 has 2 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).
シュウ (shuu)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 周辺しゅうへん · shūhen | surroundings; vicinity |
| 一周いっしゅう · isshū | one lap; going around |
| 周囲しゅうい · shūi | surroundings; people around |
| 周年しゅうねん · shūnen | anniversary |
まわり (mawari)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 周りまわり · mawari | surroundings; around |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 駅の周辺にはレストランが多い。Eki no shūhen ni wa resutoran ga ōi.There are many restaurants around the station.
- 池の周りを一周走った。Ike no mawari o isshū hashitta.I ran one lap around the pond.
- 周囲の人に迷惑をかけないようにしよう。Shūi no hito ni meiwaku o kakenai yō ni shiyō.Let us try not to bother the people around us.
- 会社は今年で創業五十周年を迎えた。Kaisha wa kotoshi de sōgyō gojisshūnen o mukaeta.The company celebrated its fiftieth anniversary this year.
- 自転車で日本を一周するのが夢だ。Jitensha de Nihon o isshū suru no ga yume da.My dream is to travel around Japan by bicycle.
Questions about 周
How many strokes does 周 have?
周 is written in 8 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 周?
The on readings are shuu (シュウ). The kun readings are mawari (まわり).
What JLPT level is 周?
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
Places, land and buildings
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 周
- 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.