中
JLPT N5
Kun-yomi (Japanese reading)
なか、うち、あた.る
On-yomi (Chinese reading)
チュウ
Meaning
Stroke Count
4 strokes

Related Vocabulary

背中 back (of body)途中 on the way, midway, in the middle of真ん中 middle, center世界中 throughout the world, all over the world日本中 all over Japan, throughout Japan一日中 all day long, throughout the day一年中 throughout the year, all year round

📝 How to Remember

With 4 strokes, 「中」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

「中」has both On-yomi (チュウ) and Kun-yomi (なか、うち、あた.る). 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)

「中」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 「中」?+
On-yomi: チュウ. Kun-yomi: なか、うち、あた.る.
What does 「中」mean in Japanese?+
「中」means "null". It is a JLPT N5 kanji — one of the most essential characters for beginners.
How many strokes does 「中」have?+
「中」is written with 4 strokes.
Is 「中」on the JLPT N5?+
Yes, 「中」is an official JLPT N5 kanji. Knowing all ~110 N5 kanji is essential for passing the exam.

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中 — JLPT N5 Kanji | Nihongo Pass