琴: the kanji for koto (Japanese harp)
琴 is a JLPT N1 kanji that means koto (Japanese harp). Below are its readings, 3 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
琴 is written in 12 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
琴 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).
キン (kin)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 木琴もっきん · mokkin | xylophone |
| 鉄琴てっきん · tekkin | glockenspiel |
こと (koto)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 琴こと · koto | koto (Japanese harp) |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 母は琴を弾くのが上手だ。Haha wa koto o hiku no ga jōzu da.My mother plays the koto well.
- 音楽の授業で木琴をたたいた。Ongaku no jugyō de mokkin o tataita.I played the xylophone in music class.
- お正月に琴の音楽が流れていた。Oshōgatsu ni koto no ongaku ga nagarete ita.Koto music was playing at New Year.
- 鉄琴のきれいな音が聞こえる。Tekkin no kirei na oto ga kikoeru.I can hear the lovely sound of a glockenspiel.
- 琴は日本の伝統的な楽器だ。Koto wa Nihon no dentōteki na gakki da.The koto is a traditional Japanese instrument.
Questions about 琴
How many strokes does 琴 have?
琴 is written in 12 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 琴?
The on readings are kin (キン). The kun readings are koto (こと).
What JLPT level is 琴?
N1. 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 N1 is designed to match the former Level 1.
More JLPT N1 kanji
Study, language and culture
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 琴
- 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.