頭: the kanji for head
頭 is a JLPT N3 kanji that means head. Below are its readings, 2 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
頭 is written in 16 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
頭 has 5 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 2 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
トウ (tou)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 頭痛ずつう · zutsū | headache … |
あたま (atama)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 頭あたま · atama | head |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 今日は頭痛がひどいです。Kyō wa zutsū ga hidoi desu.I have a bad headache today.
- 転んで頭を打ってしまった。Koronde atama o utte shimatta.I fell and hit my head.
- 頭痛がして薬を飲んだ。Zutsū ga shite kusuri o nonda.I had a headache and took medicine.
- いいアイデアが頭に浮かんだ。Ii aidea ga atama ni ukanda.A good idea came to my mind.
- 頭を冷やして考え直した。Atama o hiyashite kangaenaoshita.I cooled my head and reconsidered.
Questions about 頭
How many strokes does 頭 have?
頭 is written in 16 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 頭?
The on readings are tou (トウ), zu (ズ), to (ト). The kun readings are atama (あたま), kashira (かしら).
What JLPT level is 頭?
N3. 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 N3 falls between the former Levels 2 and 3.
More JLPT N3 kanji
Body and health
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 頭
- 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.