間 — JLPT N5 Kanji | Nihongo Pass

間

JLPT N5

Kun-yomi (Japanese reading)

あいだ、ま、あい

On-yomi (Chinese reading)

カン、ケン

Meaning

Stroke Count

12 strokes

Related Vocabulary

間に合う to be in time (for)期間 period (of time), duration 時間 Time

📝 How to Remember

At 12 strokes, 「間」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

「間」has both On-yomi (カン、ケン) and Kun-yomi (あいだ、ま、あい). 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)

「間」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 「間」?+

On-yomi: カン、ケン. Kun-yomi: あいだ、ま、あい.

What does 「間」mean in Japanese?+

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

How many strokes does 「間」have?+

「間」is written with 12 strokes.

Is 「間」on the JLPT N5?+

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

Practice 「間」 with AI

Start Free Training →Try the demo — no sign-up