夕: the kanji for evening
夕 is a JLPT N4 kanji that means evening. Below are its readings, 9 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
夕 is written in 3 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
夕 has 2 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 8 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
セキ (seki)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 一朝一夕いっちょういっせき · itchō isseki | in a short time |
ゆう (yuu)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 夕方ゆうがた · yūgata | evening |
| 夕食ゆうしょく · yūshoku | dinner |
| 夕日ゆうひ · yūhi | setting sun |
| 夕飯ゆうはん · yūhan | dinner |
| 夕刊ゆうかん · yūkan | evening newspaper |
| 夕べゆうべ · yūbe | last night; evening |
| 夕立ゆうだち · yūdachi | evening shower |
Special readings to learn as whole words
These words use 夕, 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 |
|---|---|
| 七夕たなばた · Tanabata | Star Festival (July 7) |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 夕方までに返事をください。Yūgata made ni henji o kudasai.Please reply by this evening.
- ホテルの夕食は七時からです。Hoteru no yūshoku wa shichiji kara desu.Dinner at the hotel starts at seven.
- 夕べはよく眠れましたか。Yūbe wa yoku nemuremashita ka.Did you sleep well last night?
- 海に沈む夕日がきれいでした。Umi ni shizumu yūhi ga kirei deshita.The sun setting over the sea was beautiful.
- 七月七日は七夕です。Shichigatsu nanoka wa Tanabata desu.July 7 is Tanabata.
- 日本語は一朝一夕には上手になりません。Nihongo wa itchō isseki ni wa jōzu ni narimasen.You can't master Japanese overnight.
Questions about 夕
How many strokes does 夕 have?
夕 is written in 3 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 夕?
The on readings are seki (セキ). The kun readings are yuu (ゆう).
What is Tanabata?
七夕 (Tanabata), on July 7, is the Star Festival. People write wishes on colorful strips of paper and hang them on bamboo branches. Some offices and stores put up bamboo for staff and customers.
What JLPT level is 夕?
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
Time and seasons
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 夕
- 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.