手
JLPT N5Kun-yomi (Japanese reading)
て、て、た
On-yomi (Chinese reading)
シュ、ズ
Meaning
Stroke Count
4 strokes
Related Vocabulary
手 Hand手伝う To help / To assist手術 surgery, operation手紙 letter (mail)手袋 gloves手前 this side, just before手伝い help, assistance切手 postage stamp上手（な） Skillful / Good at下手（な） Unskillful / Bad at苦手 poor at (one's own), not one's strong point上手 skilled, good at (someone else's skill)下手 poor at, unskilled運転手 driver
📝 How to Remember
With 4 strokes, 「手」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
「手」has both On-yomi (シュ、ズ) and Kun-yomi (て、て、た). 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)
「手」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 「手」?+
On-yomi: シュ、ズ. Kun-yomi: て、て、た.
What does 「手」mean in Japanese?+
「手」means "null". It is a JLPT N5 kanji — one of the most essential characters for beginners.
How many strokes does 「手」have?+
「手」is written with 4 strokes.
Is 「手」on the JLPT N5?+
Yes, 「手」is an official JLPT N5 kanji. Knowing all ~110 N5 kanji is essential for passing the exam.
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