新 — JLPT N5 Kanji | Nihongo Pass

新

JLPT N5

Kun-yomi (Japanese reading)

あたら.しい、あら.た、あら、にい

On-yomi (Chinese reading)

シン

Meaning

Stroke Count

13 strokes

Related Vocabulary

新しい New 新幹線 Shinkansen, bullet train

📝 How to Remember

At 13 strokes, 「新」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

「新」has both On-yomi (シン) and Kun-yomi (あたら.しい、あら.た、あら、にい). 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)

「新」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 「新」?+

On-yomi: シン. Kun-yomi: あたら.しい、あら.た、あら、にい.

What does 「新」mean in Japanese?+

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

How many strokes does 「新」have?+

「新」is written with 13 strokes.

Is 「新」on the JLPT N5?+

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

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