正: the kanji for correct, right, proper
正 is a JLPT N4 kanji that means correct, right, proper. Below are its readings, 16 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
正 is written in 5 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
正 has 5 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 16 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
セイ (sei)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 正確せいかく · seikaku | accurate |
| 正式せいしき · seishiki | formal; official |
| 正常せいじょう · seijō | normal |
| 正解せいかい · seikai | correct answer |
| 修正しゅうせい · shūsei | revision; correction |
| 訂正ていせい · teisei | correction |
| 正社員せいしゃいん · seishain | full-time employee |
| 不正ふせい · fusei | fraud; dishonesty |
| 公正こうせい · kōsei | fairness |
ショウ (shou)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 正月しょうがつ · shōgatsu | New Year |
| 正面しょうめん · shōmen | front |
| 正直しょうじき · shōjiki | honest |
| 正午しょうご · shōgo | noon |
ただしい (tadashii)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 正しいただしい · tadashii | correct; right |
ただす (tadasu)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 正すただす · tadasu | to correct |
まさ (masa)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 正にまさに · masani | exactly; truly |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 資料の数字を修正しました。Shiryō no sūji o shūsei shimashita.I corrected the figures in the document.
- 正式な契約は来週です。Seishiki na keiyaku wa raishū desu.The formal contract is next week.
- 正午に駅の正面で会いましょう。Shōgo ni eki no shōmen de aimashō.Let's meet at the front of the station at noon.
- お正月は家族と過ごします。O-shōgatsu wa kazoku to sugoshimasu.I spend New Year's with my family.
- この書き方で正しいですか。Kono kakikata de tadashii desu ka.Is this the correct way to write it?
- 正直に言うと、少し難しいです。Shōjiki ni iu to, sukoshi muzukashii desu.To be honest, it's a little difficult.
Questions about 正
How many strokes does 正 have?
正 is written in 5 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 正?
The on readings are sei (セイ), shou (ショウ). The kun readings are tadashii (ただしい), tadasu (ただす), masa (まさ).
What is a 正社員?
A 正社員 (seishain) is a full-time, permanent employee. Other types include 契約社員 (keiyaku shain, contract employee) and 派遣社員 (haken shain, temporary staff from an agency).
What JLPT level is 正?
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 正
- 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.