零: the kanji for zero
零 is a JLPT N2 kanji that means zero. Below are its readings, 4 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
零 is written in 13 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
零 has 1 reading 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).
レイ (rei)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 零れい · rei | zero |
| 零下れいか · reika | below zero |
| 零点れいてん · reiten | zero points |
| 零細れいさい · reisai | small-scale |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 今朝は零下五度まで下がった。Kesa wa reika godo made sagatta.It dropped to five degrees below zero this morning.
- テストで零点を取ってしまった。Tesuto de reiten o totte shimatta.I got zero points on the test.
- この町には零細な工場が多い。Kono machi ni wa reisai na kōjō ga ōi.There are many small-scale factories in this town.
- 電話番号の最初は零から始まる。Denwa bangō no saisho wa rei kara hajimaru.The phone number starts with zero.
- 事故の可能性は零ではない。Jiko no kanōsei wa rei de wa nai.The possibility of an accident is not zero.
Questions about 零
How many strokes does 零 have?
零 is written in 13 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 零?
The on readings are rei (レイ). 零 has no kun reading in the Jōyō Kanji Table.
What JLPT level is 零?
N2. 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 N2 is designed to match the former Level 2.
More JLPT N2 kanji
Numbers, time and quantity
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 零
- 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.