祖
JLPT N5On-yomi (Chinese reading)
ソ
Meaning
Ancestor, grandparent
Stroke Count
9 strokes
Examples
祖父
Related Vocabulary
📝 How to Remember
「祖」has 9 strokes. Break it into smaller visual components — most complex kanji are combinations of simpler parts you already know.
⚠️ Teacher's Note — On-yomi vs Kun-yomi
「祖」uses only On-yomi (ソ), common for kanji mostly used in compound words.
🎯 JLPT N5 — How It's Tested
もんだい1 (Kanji Reading) & もんだい2 (Kanji Writing)
「祖」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 「祖」?+
On-yomi: ソ.
What does 「祖」mean in Japanese?+
「祖」means "Ancestor, grandparent". It is a JLPT N5 kanji — one of the most essential characters for beginners.
How many strokes does 「祖」have?+
「祖」is written with 9 strokes.
Is 「祖」on the JLPT N5?+
Yes, 「祖」is an official JLPT N5 kanji. Knowing all ~110 N5 kanji is essential for passing the exam.
Can you give an example sentence using 「祖」?+
Yes: 祖父. Practicing kanji in context is one of the most effective ways to remember them.
Practice 「祖」 with AI