黒
JLPT N5Kun-yomi (Japanese reading)
くろ、くろ-い
On-yomi (Chinese reading)
コク
Meaning
Black
Stroke Count
11 strokes
Examples
黒板
Related Vocabulary
📝 How to Remember
At 11 strokes, 「黒」requires deliberate practice. Identify the radical (root part) first, then learn the remaining strokes as a unit.
⚠️ Teacher's Note — On-yomi vs Kun-yomi
「黒」has both On-yomi (コク) and Kun-yomi (くろ、くろ-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)
「黒」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 「黒」?+
On-yomi: コク. Kun-yomi: くろ、くろ-い.
What does 「黒」mean in Japanese?+
「黒」means "Black". It is a JLPT N5 kanji — one of the most essential characters for beginners.
How many strokes does 「黒」have?+
「黒」is written with 11 strokes.
Is 「黒」on the JLPT N5?+
Yes, 「黒」is an official JLPT N5 kanji. Knowing all ~110 N5 kanji is essential for passing the exam.
Can you give an example sentence using 「黒」?+
Yes: 黒板. Practicing kanji in context is one of the most effective ways to remember them.
Practice 「黒」 with AI