能
能 — Ability
ability, talent, skill, capacity
On’yomiノウ (nou)
Kun’yomiよく (yoku)
Kun’yomiあたう (atau)
Stroke order (10 strokes)
Watch the strokes draw themselves in the correct order — numbers mark where each stroke starts. Diagram from KanjiVG (CC BY-SA).
Common words using 能
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 可能 | かのう kanou | possible; potential; practicable |
| 可能性 | かのうせい kanousei | possibility; chance; likelihood |
| 機能 | きのう kinou | function; facility; faculty |
| 能力 | のうりょく nouryoku | ability; faculty |
| 芸能 | げいのう geinou | public entertainment; performing arts; accomplishments |
| 能 | のう nou | talent; gift; function |
Study notes
能 is a JLPT N3 kanji written with 10 strokes. It is taught in Japanese elementary school (grade 5), so native children learn it early — a good sign it appears everywhere. Ranked #273 of the 2,500 most frequent kanji in newspapers. On’yomi (音読み) are Chinese-derived readings mostly used in compound words; kun’yomi (訓読み) are native Japanese readings, with any highlighted part written in hiragana after the kanji (okurigana).
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