秀: the kanji for excel

秀 is a JLPT N1 kanji that means excel. Below are its readings, 4 common words and example sentences, all with audio.

excelMeaning

シュウOn reading

ひいでるKun reading

7Strokes

Stroke order

秀 is written in 7 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.

Words by reading

秀 has 2 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).

シュウ (shuu)

On reading.

Word	Meaning
優秀ゆうしゅう · yūshū	excellent
秀才しゅうさい · shūsai	brilliant student
秀作しゅうさく · shūsaku	excellent work

ひいでる (hiideru)

Kun reading.

Word	Meaning
秀でるひいでる · hiideru	to excel

Example sentences for work and daily life

彼女は優秀な成績で卒業した。Kanojo wa yūshū na seiseki de sotsugyō shita.She graduated with excellent grades.
彼は音楽に秀でている。Kare wa ongaku ni hiidete iru.He excels at music.
兄は学校一の秀才だった。Ani wa gakkō ichi no shūsai datta.My brother was the brightest student in the school.
コンクールで秀作に選ばれた。Konkūru de shūsaku ni erabareta.My work was selected as an excellent entry in the contest.
優秀な人材を集めている。Yūshū na jinzai o atsumete iru.We are gathering talented people.

Questions about 秀

How many strokes does 秀 have?

秀 is written in 7 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.

What are the readings of 秀?

The on readings are shuu (シュウ). The kun readings are hiideru (ひいでる).

What JLPT level is 秀?

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.