近 — JLPT N5 Kanji | Nihongo Pass

近

JLPT N5

Kun-yomi (Japanese reading)

ちか.い

On-yomi (Chinese reading)

キン、コン

Meaning

Stroke Count

7 strokes

Related Vocabulary

近い Near / Close 近所 neighborhood, vicinity 近く nearby, close, soon 最近 recently, lately

📝 How to Remember

「近」has 7 strokes. Break it into smaller visual components — most complex kanji are combinations of simpler parts you already know.

⚠️ Teacher's Note — On-yomi vs Kun-yomi

「近」has both On-yomi (キン、コン) and Kun-yomi (ちか.い). On-yomi is typically used in compound words (two kanji together), while Kun-yomi appears when the kanji stands alone or with hiragana.

🎯 JLPT N5 — How It's Tested

もんだい1 (Kanji Reading) & もんだい2 (Kanji Writing)

「近」typically appears in もんだい1, where you choose the correct reading, and もんだい2, where you choose the correct kanji for a hiragana word. Make sure you can recognize it both ways.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How do you read the kanji 「近」?+

On-yomi: キン、コン. Kun-yomi: ちか.い.

What does 「近」mean in Japanese?+

「近」means "null". It is a JLPT N5 kanji — one of the most essential characters for beginners.

How many strokes does 「近」have?+

「近」is written with 7 strokes.

Is 「近」on the JLPT N5?+

Yes, 「近」is an official JLPT N5 kanji. Knowing all ~110 N5 kanji is essential for passing the exam.

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