秋: the kanji for autumn and fall
秋 is a JLPT N4 kanji that means autumn, fall. Below are its readings, 9 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
秋 is written in 9 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
秋 has 2 readings 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).
シュウ (shuu)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 秋分しゅうぶん · shūbun | autumn equinox |
| 晩秋ばんしゅう · banshū | late autumn |
| 秋季しゅうき · shūki | autumn season |
| 春夏秋冬しゅんかしゅうとう · shunka shūtō | the four seasons |
あき (aki)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 秋あき · aki | autumn; fall |
| 秋田あきた · Akita | Akita |
| 秋葉原あきはばら · Akihabara | Akihabara |
| 秋風あきかぜ · akikaze | autumn breeze |
| 秋晴れあきばれ · akibare | clear autumn weather |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 秋は紅葉がきれいです。Aki wa kōyō ga kirei desu.The autumn leaves are beautiful in fall.
- 秋葉原でパソコンを買いました。Akihabara de pasokon o kaimashita.I bought a computer in Akihabara.
- 秋分の日は祝日です。Shūbun no hi wa shukujitsu desu.Autumnal Equinox Day is a national holiday.
- 今年の秋に新しい店を開きます。Kotoshi no aki ni atarashii mise o hirakimasu.We're opening a new store this fall.
- 日本の春夏秋冬はそれぞれ違う魅力があります。Nihon no shunka shūtō wa sorezore chigau miryoku ga arimasu.Each of Japan's four seasons has its own charm.
- 秋晴れの日に社員旅行に行きました。Akibare no hi ni shain ryokō ni ikimashita.We went on a company trip on a clear autumn day.
Questions about 秋
How many strokes does 秋 have?
秋 is written in 9 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 秋?
The on readings are shuu (シュウ). The kun readings are aki (あき).
When is the best time to see autumn leaves in Japan?
In Tokyo and Kyoto, 紅葉 (kōyō), the autumn leaves, usually peak from late November to early December. In Hokkaido and the mountains, they turn red and yellow earlier, in October.
What JLPT level is 秋?
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
Time and seasons
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 秋
- 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.