先
JLPT N5Kun-yomi (Japanese reading)
さき、ま.ず
On-yomi (Chinese reading)
セン
Meaning
Stroke Count
6 strokes
Related Vocabulary
📝 How to Remember
With 6 strokes, 「先」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
「先」has both On-yomi (セン) and Kun-yomi (さき、ま.ず). 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)
「先」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 「先」?+
On-yomi: セン. Kun-yomi: さき、ま.ず.
What does 「先」mean in Japanese?+
「先」means "null". It is a JLPT N5 kanji — one of the most essential characters for beginners.
How many strokes does 「先」have?+
「先」is written with 6 strokes.
Is 「先」on the JLPT N5?+
Yes, 「先」is an official JLPT N5 kanji. Knowing all ~110 N5 kanji is essential for passing the exam.
Practice 「先」 with AI