year
N5- Onyomi
- ネン
- Kunyomi
- とし
- Stroke count
- 6
- JLPT
- N5
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
A person carrying the harvest, marking the passing of a year. 年 means year.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 6
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6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 6 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
今年
kotoshi
this year
来年
rainen
next year
今年から始まります
kotoshi kara hajimarimasu
starts from this year
来年から始まります
rainen kara hajimarimasu
starts from next year
今年までに出します
kotoshi made ni dashimasu
submit by this year
来年までに出します
rainen made ni dashimasu
submit by next year
Example sentences (2)
今年、日本語の試験を受けます。
ことし、にほんご の しけん を うけます。
kotoshi, nihongo no shiken o ukemasu.
I will take a Japanese exam this year.
今年の夏はとても暑いです。
ことし の なつ は とても あつい です。
kotoshi no natsu wa totemo atsui desu.
This summer is very hot.