文: the kanji for sentence, writing, culture
文 is a JLPT N4 kanji that means sentence, writing, culture. Below are its readings, 14 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
文 is written in 4 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
文 has 3 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 14 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
ブン (bun)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 文化ぶんか · bunka | culture |
| 文章ぶんしょう · bunshō | writing; text |
| 文学ぶんがく · bungaku | literature |
| 作文さくぶん · sakubun | essay; composition |
| 文法ぶんぽう · bunpō | grammar |
| 例文れいぶん · reibun | example sentence |
| 本文ほんぶん · honbun | main text |
| 英文えいぶん · eibun | English text |
| 文房具ぶんぼうぐ · bunbōgu | stationery |
モン (mon)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 注文ちゅうもん · chūmon | order |
| 文字もじ · moji | letter; character |
| 天文学てんもんがく · tenmongaku | astronomy |
| 文句もんく · monku | complaint |
ふみ (fumi)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 恋文こいぶみ · koibumi | love letter |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 日本の文化に興味があります。Nihon no bunka ni kyōmi ga arimasu.I'm interested in Japanese culture.
- ご注文はお決まりですか。Go-chūmon wa o-kimari desu ka.Are you ready to order?
- メールの文章を確認してもらえますか。Mēru no bunshō o kakunin shite moraemasu ka.Could you check the wording of my email?
- 日本語の文法は難しいです。Nihongo no bunpō wa muzukashii desu.Japanese grammar is difficult.
- 文字が小さくて読めません。Moji ga chiisakute yomemasen.The letters are too small to read.
- 商品を三十個注文しました。Shōhin o sanjukko chūmon shimashita.I ordered thirty units of the product.
Questions about 文
How many strokes does 文 have?
文 is written in 4 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 文?
The on readings are bun (ブン), mon (モン). The kun readings are fumi (ふみ).
What will a waiter ask you in a Japanese restaurant?
ご注文はお決まりですか (go-chūmon wa o-kimari desu ka) means "Are you ready to order?" If you need more time, say もう少し待ってください (mō sukoshi matte kudasai).
What JLPT level is 文?
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
Study and thinking
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 文
- 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.