質: the kanji for quality, nature, question
質 is a JLPT N4 kanji that means quality, nature, question. Below are its readings, 7 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
質 is written in 15 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
質 has 3 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 7 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
シツ (shitsu)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 質問しつもん · shitsumon | question |
| 品質ひんしつ · hinshitsu | quality |
| 性質せいしつ · seishitsu | nature; property |
| 本質ほんしつ · honshitsu | essence |
| 体質たいしつ · taishitsu | constitution |
| 質素しっそ · shisso | simple; plain |
シチ (shichi)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 質屋しちや · shichiya | pawnshop |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 質問してもいいですか。Shitsumon shite mo ii desu ka.May I ask a question?
- 品質には自信があります。Hinshitsu ni wa jishin ga arimasu.We're confident in our quality.
- ご質問があれば、お気軽にどうぞ。Go-shitsumon ga areba, o-kigaru ni dōzo.If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
- 問題の本質を考えましょう。Mondai no honshitsu o kangaemashō.Let's think about the heart of the problem.
- この素材は水に強い性質があります。Kono sozai wa mizu ni tsuyoi seishitsu ga arimasu.This material is water-resistant.
- 質の高いサービスを目指しています。Shitsu no takai sābisu o mezashite imasu.We aim to provide high-quality service.
Questions about 質
How many strokes does 質 have?
質 is written in 15 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 質?
The on readings are shitsu (シツ), shichi (シチ), chi (チ). 質 has no kun reading in the Jōyō Kanji Table.
How do you invite questions at the end of a presentation?
Say ご質問はございますか (go-shitsumon wa gozaimasu ka), "Do you have any questions?" A friendlier version is 何か質問はありますか (nanika shitsumon wa arimasu ka).
What JLPT level is 質?
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
Study and thinking
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 質
- 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.