以
JLPT N5
On-yomi (Chinese reading)
イ
Meaning
By means of, because, since
Stroke Count
5 strokes
Examples

以上

Related Vocabulary

以上 above, more than, or more, that is all以下 below, less than, or less, the following以前 before, previously, in the past以後 after, from now on, hereafter

📝 How to Remember

With 5 strokes, 「以」is easy to write once you learn the stroke order. Practice writing it 5 times daily until it becomes automatic.

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

「以」uses only On-yomi (イ), common for kanji mostly used in compound words.

🎯 JLPT N5 — How It's Tested

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

「以」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 「以」?+
On-yomi: イ.
What does 「以」mean in Japanese?+
「以」means "By means of, because, since". It is a JLPT N5 kanji — one of the most essential characters for beginners.
How many strokes does 「以」have?+
「以」is written with 5 strokes.
Is 「以」on the JLPT N5?+
Yes, 「以」is an official JLPT N5 kanji. Knowing all ~110 N5 kanji is essential for passing the exam.
Can you give an example sentence using 「以」?+
Yes: 以上. Practicing kanji in context is one of the most effective ways to remember them.

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以 — JLPT N5 Kanji | Nihongo Pass