歳: the kanji for years old; year
歳 is a JLPT N3 kanji that means years old; year. Below are its readings, 2 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
歳 is written in 13 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
歳 has 2 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 1 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
サイ (sai)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 何歳なんさい · nansai | how old |
Special readings to learn as whole words
These words use 歳, 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 |
|---|---|
| 二十歳はたち · hatachi | twenty years old |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- お子さんは何歳ですか。Okosan wa nansai desu ka.How old is your child?
- 来月、二十歳になります。Raigetsu, hatachi ni narimasu.I turn twenty next month.
- …祖父は八十歳を超えても元気です。Sofu wa hachijussai o koete mo genki desu.My grandfather is healthy even past eighty years old.
- …彼女は三十歳で会社を始めた。Kanojo wa sanjussai de kaisha o hajimeta.She started her company at thirty years old.
- 二十歳の誕生日にお祝いをした。Hatachi no tanjōbi ni oiwai o shita.We celebrated the twentieth birthday.
Questions about 歳
How many strokes does 歳 have?
歳 is written in 13 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 歳?
The on readings are sai (サイ), sei (セイ). 歳 has no kun reading in the Jōyō Kanji Table.
What JLPT level is 歳?
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 歳
- 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.