仕: the kanji for serve and do
仕 is a JLPT N4 kanji that means serve, do. Below are its readings, 9 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
仕 is written in 5 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
仕 has 3 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 9 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
シ (shi)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 仕事しごと · shigoto | work; job |
| 仕方しかた · shikata | way; method |
| 仕様しよう · shiyō | specifications |
| 仕上げしあげ · shiage | finishing touches |
| 仕組みしくみ · shikumi | mechanism; system |
| 仕入れしいれ · shiire | purchasing stock |
| 仕送りしおくり · shiokuri | sending an allowance |
ジ (ji)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 給仕きゅうじ · kyūji | waiting on tables |
つかえる (tsukaeru)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 仕えるつかえる · tsukaeru | to serve (a person) |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 仕事は何をしていますか。Shigoto wa nani o shite imasu ka.What do you do for work?
- 仕方がありません。Shikata ga arimasen.It can't be helped.
- このシステムの仕組みを説明します。Kono shisutemu no shikumi o setsumei shimasu.I'll explain how this system works.
- 製品の仕様を確認してください。Seihin no shiyō o kakunin shite kudasai.Please check the product specifications.
- 明日までに資料を仕上げます。Ashita made ni shiryō o shiagemasu.I'll finish the materials by tomorrow.
- 仕事の後、ジムに行きます。Shigoto no ato, jimu ni ikimasu.I go to the gym after work.
Questions about 仕
How many strokes does 仕 have?
仕 is written in 5 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 仕?
The on readings are shi (シ), ji (ジ). The kun readings are tsukaeru (つかえる).
What does 仕方がない mean?
仕方がない (shikata ga nai) means "it can't be helped." People say it when something is out of their control, such as a train delay. しょうがない (shō ga nai) is the casual version.
What JLPT level is 仕?
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
Work and money
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 仕
- 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.