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child

JLPT N5 Grade 1 3 strokes
Kun'yomi
On'yomi
シ・ス
Radical
· child (child, son)

子 means "child". It is a JLPT N5 kanji written in 3 strokes. It is read こ in native Japanese words (kun'yomi) and シ・ス in compounds (on'yomi). Japanese schoolchildren learn it in grade 1.

Example word

子供こども

child

子 in example sentences

  • おとこですよ。

    Otokonoko desu yo.

    It's a boy.

  • まえひとり

    Omae mo hitorikko?

    Are you an only child, too?

  • いいにしなさい。

    Ii ko ni shi nasai.

    Be good.

Example sentences from the Tatoeba Project, licensed CC-BY 2.0 FR.

Stroke order & writing

Want more? Practice writing from memory. Stroke-order and animation sources are on our credits page.

Words that use 子

More (child) kanji

Common questions

What does the kanji 子 mean?
子 means "child". It is a JLPT N5 kanji.
How many strokes does 子 have?
子 is written in 3 strokes.
How is 子 read?
It is read こ in native Japanese words (kun'yomi) and シ・ス in compounds (on'yomi).
What JLPT level is 子?
子 is a JLPT N5 kanji.