聞 – Hear, Listen, Ask, News (Bun / Kiku Kanji)
Learn the meaning, Onyomi and Kunyomi readings, stroke order, common vocabulary, and example sentences for the Japanese Kanji 聞.
Kanji 聞 Readings – Onyomi & Kunyomi
聞 has both an Onyomi (Chinese-derived) reading and Kunyomi (native Japanese) readings, each used in different word contexts.
Used in compound words such as 新聞 (shinbun – newspaper).
Used as a verb meaning "to hear," "to listen," or "to ask," such as 音楽を聞く (ongaku o kiku – to listen to music).
聞 Stroke Order – How to Write 聞
聞 is written with 14 strokes. Follow the numbered order below to write it correctly.
💡 Tip: Write the gate radical (門) on the outside, enclosing the ear component (耳) on the inside.
Common Words Using 聞 (Vocabulary List)
Here are 8 essential words that use the kanji 聞, worth memorizing first.
Example Sentences with 聞
See 聞 used in real, natural Japanese sentences with Kanji, Kana, Romaji and English meaning.
毎朝、新聞を読みます。
まいあさ、しんぶんを よみます。
Maiasa, shinbun o yomimasu.
I read the newspaper every morning.
先生に質問を聞きました。
せんせいに しつもんを ききました。
Sensei ni shitsumon o kikimashita.
I asked the teacher a question.
部屋で音楽を聞いています。
へやで おんがくを きいています。
Heya de ongaku o kiite imasu.
I am listening to music in my room.
遠くから電車の音が聞こえます。
とおくから でんしゃの おとが きこえます。
Tooku kara densha no oto ga kikoemasu.
The sound of a train can be heard from afar.
日本語の聞き取りが上手になりたいです。
にほんごの ききとりが じょうずになりたいです。
Nihongo no kikitori ga jouzu ni naritai desu.
I want to become good at Japanese listening comprehension.
Frequently Asked Questions About 聞
What does the Kanji 聞 mean?
聞 means "hear," "listen," "ask," or "news." It is a fundamental JLPT N5 kanji used in daily verbs like 聞く (kiku, to hear/listen/ask) and nouns like 新聞 (shinbun, newspaper).
What are the Onyomi readings of 聞?
The Onyomi readings of 聞 are ブン (bun) and モン (mon), as in 新聞 (shinbun, newspaper) and 伝聞 (denbun, hearsay).
What are the Kunyomi readings of 聞?
The Kunyomi readings of 聞 include きく (kiku, to hear/listen/ask) and きこえる (kikoeru, to be audible).
How many strokes does 聞 have?
聞 is written with 14 strokes.
Is 聞 a JLPT N5 kanji?
Yes, 聞 is an essential JLPT N5 kanji taught in the second grade of Japanese elementary school.
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