真: the kanji for true and real
真 is a JLPT N4 kanji that means true, real. Below are its readings, 16 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
真 is written in 10 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
真 has 2 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 13 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
シン (shin)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 写真しゃしん · shashin | photo |
| 真剣しんけん · shinken | serious; earnest |
| 真実しんじつ · shinjitsu | truth |
| 真相しんそう · shinsō | the truth (of a matter) |
| 真意しんい · shin'i | true intention |
ま (ma)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 真ん中まんなか · mannaka | middle; center |
| 真夏まなつ · manatsu | midsummer |
| 真冬まふゆ · mafuyu | midwinter |
| 真っ白まっしろ · masshiro | pure white |
| 真っ暗まっくら · makkura | pitch dark |
| 真っすぐまっすぐ · massugu | straight |
| 真似まね · mane | imitation |
| 真心まごころ · magokoro | sincerity |
Special readings to learn as whole words
These words use 真, 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 |
|---|---|
| 真面目まじめ · majime | serious; diligent |
| 真っ赤まっか · makka | bright red |
| 真っ青まっさお · massao | deep blue; pale |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 写真を撮ってもいいですか。Shashin o totte mo ii desu ka.May I take a photo?
- この道を真っすぐ行ってください。Kono michi o massugu itte kudasai.Please go straight along this road.
- 真ん中の席に座ってください。Mannaka no seki ni suwatte kudasai.Please sit in the middle seat.
- 彼は仕事に真剣に取り組んでいます。Kare wa shigoto ni shinken ni torikunde imasu.He takes his work seriously.
- 真夏の東京はとても暑いです。Manatsu no Tōkyō wa totemo atsui desu.Tokyo is very hot in midsummer.
- 恥ずかしくて顔が真っ赤になりました。Hazukashikute kao ga makka ni narimashita.I was so embarrassed that my face turned bright red.
Questions about 真
How many strokes does 真 have?
真 is written in 10 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 真?
The on readings are shin (シン). The kun readings are ma (ま).
Is 真面目 a compliment?
Yes. 真面目 (majime) means serious, diligent and hardworking, and it is a common compliment for coworkers. In some contexts, like a party, it can also suggest someone is a little too serious.
What JLPT level is 真?
N4. 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 N4 is designed to match the former Level 3.
More JLPT N4 kanji
Colors and descriptions
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 真
- 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.