子: the kanji for child
子 is a JLPT N5 kanji that means child. Below are its readings, 18 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
子 is written in 3 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
子 has 3 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 16 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
シ (shi)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 女子じょし · joshi | girl; woman |
| 男子だんし · danshi | boy; man |
| 帽子ぼうし · bōshi | hat |
| 調子ちょうし · chōshi | condition; how things are going |
| 電子でんし · denshi | electronic |
| 子孫しそん · shison | descendant |
ス (su)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 様子ようす · yōsu | appearance; situation |
| 扇子せんす · sensu | folding fan |
| 椅子いす · isu | chair |
こ (ko)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 子どもこども · kodomo | child |
| 子こ · ko | child |
| 親子おやこ · oyako | parent and child |
| 女の子おんなのこ · onnanoko | girl |
| 男の子おとこのこ · otokonoko | boy |
| 子育てこそだて · kosodate | raising children |
| 双子ふたご · futago | twins |
Special readings to learn as whole words
These words use 子, but their readings do not follow the readings above. The Jōyō Kanji Table lists them as special readings. Learn each one as a whole word.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 迷子まいご · maigo | lost child |
| 息子むすこ · musuko | son |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 子どもが二人います。Kodomo ga futari imasu.I have two children.
- 今日は体の調子がいいです。Kyō wa karada no chōshi ga ii desu.I feel good today.
- 息子は小学生です。Musuko wa shōgakusei desu.My son is in elementary school.
- 電子メールで送ります。Denshi mēru de okurimasu.I'll send it by email.
- 会議の様子を報告します。Kaigi no yōsu o hōkoku shimasu.I'll report on how the meeting went.
- 子育てと仕事を両立しています。Kosodate to shigoto o ryōritsu shite imasu.I balance raising children with work.
Questions about 子
How many strokes does 子 have?
子 is written in 3 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 子?
The on readings are shi (シ), su (ス). The kun readings are ko (こ).
What is the difference between 子ども and 子?
子ども (kodomo) is the everyday word for "child." 子 (ko) is also used on its own and in words such as 親子 (oyako, parent and child).
What JLPT level is 子?
N5. 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 N5 is designed to match the former Level 4.
More JLPT N5 kanji
People
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Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 子
- 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.