九 – Nine (Kyuu / Ku / Kokonotsu Kanji)
Learn the meaning, Onyomi and Kunyomi readings, stroke order, common vocabulary, and example sentences for the Japanese Kanji 九.
Kanji 九 Readings – Onyomi & Kunyomi
九 has both an Onyomi (Chinese-derived) reading and Kunyomi (native Japanese) readings, each used in different word contexts.
Used in compound words such as 九人 (kyuunin – nine people) and 九回 (kyuukai – nine times).
Used when counting nine items, such as りんごが九つ (ringo ga kokonotsu – nine apples).
九 Stroke Order – How to Write 九
九 is written with 2 strokes. Follow the numbered order below to write it correctly.
💡 Tip: Write the short horizontal-diagonal stroke first, then the curving vertical stroke with a hook.
Common Words Using 九 (Vocabulary List)
Here are 10 essential words that use the kanji 九, worth memorizing first.
Example Sentences with 九
See 九 used in real, natural Japanese sentences with Kanji, Kana, Romaji and English meaning.
りんごが九つあります。
りんごが ここのつ あります。
Ringo ga kokonotsu arimasu.
There are nine apples.
九人の学生がテストを受けました。
きゅうにんの がくせいが てすとを うけました。
Kyuunin no gakusei ga tesuto o ukemashita.
Nine students took the test.
九月に新学期が始まります。
くがつに しんがっきが はじまります。
Kugatsu ni shingakki ga hajimarimasu.
The new semester starts in September.
会議は九時に始まります。
かいぎは くじに はじまります。
Kaigi wa kuji ni hajimarimasu.
The meeting starts at nine o'clock.
彼は九州で生まれました。
かれは きゅうしゅうで うまれました。
Kare wa Kyuushuu de umaremashita.
He was born in Kyushu.
Frequently Asked Questions About 九
What does the Kanji 九 mean?
九 means nine. It is one of the most common JLPT N5 kanji and appears in many everyday words such as 九月 (kugatsu, September) and 九人 (kyuunin, nine people).
What is the Onyomi reading of 九?
The Onyomi (Chinese-derived) readings of 九 are キュウ (kyuu) and ク (ku), as in 九人 (kyuunin, nine people) and 九月 (kugatsu, September).
What is the Kunyomi reading of 九?
The Kunyomi (native Japanese) reading of 九 is ここの.つ (kokonotsu, nine things).
How many strokes does 九 have?
九 is written with 2 strokes.
Is 九 a JLPT N5 kanji?
Yes, 九 is part of the official JLPT N5 kanji list and is one of the first number kanji beginners learn.
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