食
JLPT N5Kun-yomi (Japanese reading)
く.う、く.らう、た.べる、はむ
On-yomi (Chinese reading)
ショク、ジキ
Meaning
Stroke Count
9 strokes
Related Vocabulary
📝 How to Remember
「食」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
「食」has both On-yomi (ショク、ジキ) and Kun-yomi (く.う、く.らう、た.べる、はむ). 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)
「食」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 「食」?+
On-yomi: ショク、ジキ. Kun-yomi: く.う、く.らう、た.べる、はむ.
What does 「食」mean in Japanese?+
「食」means "null". It is a JLPT N5 kanji — one of the most essential characters for beginners.
How many strokes does 「食」have?+
「食」is written with 9 strokes.
Is 「食」on the JLPT N5?+
Yes, 「食」is an official JLPT N5 kanji. Knowing all ~110 N5 kanji is essential for passing the exam.
Practice 「食」 with AI