生 – Life / Birth / Raw (Sei Kanji)
Learn the meaning, Onyomi and Kunyomi readings, stroke order, common vocabulary, and example sentences for the Japanese Kanji 生.
Kanji 生 Readings – Onyomi & Kunyomi
生 has both an Onyomi (Chinese-derived) reading and Kunyomi (native Japanese) readings, each used in different word contexts.
セイ is used in words like 学生 (gakusei – student) and 先生 (sensei – teacher). ショウ appears in words such as 一生 (isshou – a lifetime) and 誕生 (tanjou – birth).
い(きる) means "to live" as in 生きる (ikiru). う(まれる) means "to be born" as in 生まれる (umareru). なま means "raw" or "unprocessed" as in 生野菜 (namayasai – raw vegetables). Other kunyomi readings such as は(える) and お(う) also exist for less common word forms.
生 Stroke Order – How to Write 生
生 is written with 5 strokes. Follow the numbered order below to write it correctly.
💡 Tip: Write the three horizontal strokes and the diagonal from top first, then finish with the long vertical stroke through the center, going through the bottom horizontal.
Common Words Using 生 (Vocabulary List)
Here are 10 essential words that use the kanji 生, worth memorizing first.
Example Sentences with 生
See 生 used in real, natural Japanese sentences with Kanji, Kana, Romaji and English meaning.
私は大学生です。
わたしは だいがくせいです。
Watashi wa daigakusei desu.
I am a university student.
先生はとても親切です。
せんせいは とても しんせつです。
Sensei wa totemo shinsetsu desu.
The teacher is very kind.
彼は東京で生まれました。
かれは とうきょうで うまれました。
Kare wa Toukyou de umaremashita.
He was born in Tokyo.
祖父は長く生きました。
そふは ながく いきました。
Sofu wa nagaku ikimashita.
My grandfather lived a long life.
新しい生活を始めます。
あたらしい せいかつを はじめます。
Atarashii seikatsu o hajimemasu.
I will start a new life.
Frequently Asked Questions About 生
What does the Kanji 生 mean?
生 means "life," "birth," or "raw." It is one of the most versatile JLPT N5 kanji, seen in words like 学生 (gakusei, student) and 生まれる (umareru, to be born).
What is the Onyomi reading of 生?
The Onyomi (Chinese-derived) readings of 生 are セイ (sei) and ショウ (shou), as in 学生 (gakusei, student) and 一生 (isshou, a lifetime).
What is the Kunyomi reading of 生?
The Kunyomi (native Japanese) readings of 生 include い(きる) (to live), う(まれる) (to be born), and なま (raw), among others.
How many strokes does 生 have?
生 is written with 5 strokes.
Is 生 a JLPT N5 kanji?
Yes, 生 is part of the official JLPT N5 kanji list and is extremely common, appearing in essential words like 学生 (student) and 先生 (teacher).
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