巧: the kanji for skillful

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

skillfulMeaning

コウOn reading

たくみKun reading

5Strokes

Stroke order

巧 is written in 5 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.

Words by reading

巧 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).

コウ (kou)

On reading.

Word	Meaning
巧妙こうみょう · kōmyō	clever; ingenious
技巧ぎこう · gikō	technique
精巧せいこう · seikō	elaborate; precise

たくみ (takumi)

Kun reading.

Word	Meaning
巧みたくみ · takumi	skillful

Example sentences for work and daily life

彼は言葉巧みに客を集めた。Kare wa kotoba takumi ni kyaku o atsumeta.He drew in customers with clever talk.
精巧な模型に驚いた。Seikō na mokei ni odoroita.I was amazed by the elaborate model.
巧妙なうそにだまされた。Kōmyō na uso ni damasareta.I was fooled by a clever lie.
ピアニストの技巧に感心した。Pianisuto no gikō ni kanshin shita.I was impressed by the pianist's technique.
職人は巧みに木を削った。Shokunin wa takumi ni ki o kezutta.The craftsman skillfully carved the wood.

Questions about 巧

How many strokes does 巧 have?

巧 is written in 5 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.

What are the readings of 巧?

The on readings are kou (コウ). The kun readings are takumi (たくみ).

What JLPT level is 巧?

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.