常: the kanji for always; usual
常 is a JLPT N3 kanji that means always; usual. Below are its readings, 4 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
常 is written in 11 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
常 has 3 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 4 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
ジョウ (jou)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 日常にちじょう · nichijō | everyday life |
| 正常せいじょう · seijō | normal |
| 非常ひじょう · hijō | emergency; extreme |
つね (tsune)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 常につねに · tsune ni | always |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 日常の生活を大切にしています。Nichijō no seikatsu o taisetsu ni shite imasu.I value my everyday life.
- 検査の結果は正常でした。Kensa no kekka wa seijō deshita.The test results were normal.
- 非常口はあちらです。Hijōguchi wa achira desu.The emergency exit is over there.
- 彼は常に前向きに考える。Kare wa tsune ni maemuki ni kangaeru.He always thinks positively.
- 日常のちょっとした喜びを大切にする。Nichijō no chotto shita yorokobi o taisetsu ni suru.I cherish the small joys of everyday life.
Questions about 常
How many strokes does 常 have?
常 is written in 11 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 常?
The on readings are jou (ジョウ). The kun readings are tsune (つね), toko (とこ).
What JLPT level is 常?
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
Time and sequence
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 常
- 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.