服: the kanji for clothes and obey
服 is a JLPT N4 kanji that means clothes, obey. Below are its readings, 9 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
服 is written in 8 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
服 has 1 reading 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).
フク (fuku)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 服ふく · fuku | clothes |
| 洋服ようふく · yōfuku | clothes |
| 制服せいふく · seifuku | uniform |
| 和服わふく · wafuku | Japanese clothing |
| 私服しふく · shifuku | casual clothes |
| 服装ふくそう · fukusō | dress; attire |
| 一服いっぷく · ippuku | a short break |
| 克服こくふく · kokufuku | overcoming |
| 冬服ふゆふく · fuyufuku | winter clothes |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 面接の服装はスーツでいいですか。Mensetsu no fukusō wa sūtsu de ii desu ka.Is a suit appropriate for the interview?
- この会社には制服があります。Kono kaisha ni wa seifuku ga arimasu.This company has a uniform.
- 週末に服を買いに行きました。Shūmatsu ni fuku o kai ni ikimashita.I went clothes shopping on the weekend.
- 金曜日は私服で働けます。Kin'yōbi wa shifuku de hatarakemasu.We can wear casual clothes on Fridays.
- 少し一服しましょう。Sukoshi ippuku shimashō.Let's take a short break.
- 苦手な分野を克服したいです。Nigate na bun'ya o kokufuku shitai desu.I want to overcome my weak areas.
Questions about 服
How many strokes does 服 have?
服 is written in 8 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 服?
The on readings are fuku (フク). 服 has no kun reading in the Jōyō Kanji Table.
What should you wear to work in Japan?
Many Japanese offices expect a dark suit, especially for meetings with clients. Some companies allow business casual. If you are unsure, ask 服装の決まりはありますか (fukusō no kimari wa arimasu ka), "Is there a dress code?"
What JLPT level is 服?
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
Colors and descriptions
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 服
- 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.