従: the kanji for follow; obey
従 is a JLPT N1 kanji that means follow; obey. Below are its readings, 7 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
従 is written in 10 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
従 has 5 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).
ジュウ (juu)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 従業員じゅうぎょういん · jūgyōin | employee |
| 服従ふくじゅう · fukujū | obedience |
| 従来じゅうらい · jūrai | conventional; until now |
ショウ (shou)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 従容しょうよう · shōyō | calm; composed |
ジュ (ju)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 従三位じゅさんみ · jusanmi | Junior Third Rank |
したがう (shitagau)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 従うしたがう · shitagau | to follow; to obey |
したがえる (shitagaeru)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 従えるしたがえる · shitagaeru | to be accompanied by; to lead |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 係員の指示に従ってください。Kakariin no shiji ni shitagatte kudasai.Please follow the staff's instructions.
- この店の従業員は親切だ。Kono mise no jūgyōin wa shinsetsu da.The employees at this store are kind.
- 従来の方法を見直した。Jūrai no hōhō o minaoshita.We reviewed the conventional methods.
- 王は家来を従えて旅に出た。Ō wa kerai o shitagaete tabi ni deta.The king set out on a journey with his retainers.
- 彼は従容として運命を受け入れた。Kare wa shōyō to shite unmei o ukeireta.He calmly accepted his fate.
Questions about 従
How many strokes does 従 have?
従 is written in 10 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 従?
The on readings are juu (ジュウ), shou (ショウ), ju (ジュ). The kun readings are shitagau (したがう), shitagaeru (したがえる).
What JLPT level is 従?
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.
More JLPT N1 kanji
Movement and actions
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 従
- 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.