now
N5- Onyomi
- コン・キン
- Kunyomi
- いま
- Stroke count
- 4
- JLPT
- N5
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Break 今 down and you get 人 (person) — a person standing on two legs. Picture a person sitting cross-legged on the ground, put 今 inside it, and let that scene stand for "now" — now. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 4
General writing tips
These general rules have exceptions. Follow the animation and numbered frames for this character.
- •上から下へ書きます。Write from top to bottom.
- •左から右へ書きます。Write from left to right.
- •横の画を先に、縦の画を後に書きます。Write horizontal strokes before the vertical strokes that cross them.
- •外側の囲みを先に書き、中を後で書きます。Draw an outer enclosure first, then fill in what is inside.
- •中央を先に、左右を後に書きます。In symmetric shapes, write the centre before the left and right sides.
- •この漢字は4画です。下の練習エリアで順番に書いてみましょう。This kanji has 4 strokes — trace them in order in the practice area below.
Step by step
Practice Writing
Free writing practice — compare your writing with the example. This canvas does not check your shape or stroke order. Draw with a mouse, finger, or pen; scroll outside the square to move down the page.
Trace the faded character, or hide the outline to practise from memory.
Writing Tips
- Follow the order strictly: top-to-bottom and left-to-right. Correct order makes the shape balanced and natural.
- Keep each stroke in one smooth motion — don't lift the pen in the middle of a stroke.
- Close enclosing strokes cleanly so the character does not look open or broken.
- Common mistake: drawing strokes bottom-to-top or right-to-left. Even if the result looks similar, the wrong order shows in handwriting and makes it harder to read.
Example words
今日
kyou
today
今
ima
now
今週
konshuu
this week
今月
kongetsu
this month
今年
kotoshi
this year
今度
kondo
next time
Example sentences (2)
今日は日曜日です。
きょう は にちようび です。
kyou wa nichiyoubi desu.
Today is Sunday.
今日の天気はとてもいいです。
きょう の てんき は とても いい です。
kyou no tenki wa totemo ii desu.
The weather today is very good.