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I, private

JLPT N4 Grade 6 7 strokes
Kun'yomi
わたし
On'yomi

私 means "I, private". It is a JLPT N4 kanji written in 7 strokes. It is read わたし in native Japanese words (kun'yomi) and シ in compounds (on'yomi). Japanese schoolchildren learn it in grade 6.

Example word

わたし

I

私 in example sentences

  • わたしですが。

    Watashi desuga.

    It's me.

  • わたして。

    Watashi o mite.

    Look at me.

  • わたしおんなだ。

    Watashi wa onna da.

    I'm a woman.

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 私

Common questions

What does the kanji 私 mean?
私 means "I, private". It is a JLPT N4 kanji.
How many strokes does 私 have?
私 is written in 7 strokes.
How is 私 read?
It is read わたし in native Japanese words (kun'yomi) and シ in compounds (on'yomi).
What JLPT level is 私?
私 is a JLPT N4 kanji.