JLPT N5
Kun-yomi (Japanese reading)
はな.す、はなし
On-yomi (Chinese reading)
Meaning
Stroke Count
13 strokes

📝 How to Remember

At 13 strokes, 「話」requires deliberate practice. Identify the radical (root part) first, then learn the remaining strokes as a unit.

⚠️ Teacher's NoteOn-yomi vs Kun-yomi

「話」has both On-yomi (ワ) and Kun-yomi (はな.す、はなし). 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)

「話」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 「話」?+
On-yomi: ワ. Kun-yomi: はな.す、はなし.
What does 「話」mean in Japanese?+
「話」means "null". It is a JLPT N5 kanji — one of the most essential characters for beginners.
How many strokes does 「話」have?+
「話」is written with 13 strokes.
Is 「話」on the JLPT N5?+
Yes, 「話」is an official JLPT N5 kanji. Knowing all ~110 N5 kanji is essential for passing the exam.