近: the kanji for near and close
近 is a JLPT N4 kanji that means near, close. Below are its readings, 13 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
近 is written in 7 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
近 has 2 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 13 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
キン (kin)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 最近さいきん · saikin | recently |
| 近所きんじょ · kinjo | neighborhood |
| 付近ふきん · fukin | vicinity |
| 近代きんだい · kindai | modern times |
| 近日きんじつ · kinjitsu | soon; in a few days |
| 近年きんねん · kinnen | in recent years |
| 接近せっきん · sekkin | approach |
| 側近そっきん · sokkin | close aide |
ちかい (chikai)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 近いちかい · chikai | near; close |
| 近くちかく · chikaku | nearby; soon |
| 近づくちかづく · chikazuku | to approach |
| 近道ちかみち · chikamichi | shortcut |
| 身近みぢか · mijika | familiar; close to home |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 会社は駅から近いです。Kaisha wa eki kara chikai desu.The office is close to the station.
- 最近、仕事が忙しいです。Saikin, shigoto ga isogashii desu.I've been busy with work lately.
- この近くにコンビニはありますか。Kono chikaku ni konbini wa arimasu ka.Is there a convenience store near here?
- 締め切りが近づいています。Shimekiri ga chikazuite imasu.The deadline is approaching.
- 近所の人にあいさつしました。Kinjo no hito ni aisatsu shimashita.I said hello to my neighbors.
- 新しいサービスは近日公開します。Atarashii sābisu wa kinjitsu kōkai shimasu.The new service will launch soon.
Questions about 近
How many strokes does 近 have?
近 is written in 7 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 近?
The on readings are kin (キン). The kun readings are chikai (ちかい).
What should you do when you move into a new place in Japan?
Many people greet their neighbors, called 近所の人 (kinjo no hito), with a small gift and a short hello. In apartment buildings, people often greet the neighbors on each side and above and below.
What JLPT level is 近?
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
Places and buildings
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 近
- 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.