JAPANAN 日本語
Native Speaker Kanji Series
4 strokes
日 (sun)
Core Meaning
sun · day
ひ（名）・か（接尾）
音読み On-yomi
ニチ・ジツ
- 日本にほんJapan
- 毎日まいにちevery day
- 日曜日にちようびSunday
訓読み Kun-yomi
ひ／び／か
- 日ひsun / day
- 誕生日たんじょうびbirthday
- 三日みっか3rd / three days
Etymology — pictographic origin
origin
Memory Hook
A window with the sun shining through 日. ニチ sounds like "nichi" — say it bright and sunny! ひ = the warmth you feel.
Writing Practice — tap to watch, trace, or quiz yourself
Touch Practice
Tap Watch to see the stroke order, or Practice to write 日 from memory.
Exercises
✦ Reading — write how to read the highlighted kanji
1
今日は日ようびです。
Today is Sunday.
2
その日はわたしのたんじょうびです。
That day is my birthday.
✦ Writing — write the correct kanji in the blank
3
本へいきたいです。
I want to go to Japan.
4
かようにともだちにあいました。
I met my friend on Tuesday.
文化ノート
Cultural Note
日本 — why "Nihon"?
日本 literally means "origin of the sun." Japan lies east of China — where the sun rises first. Today 日 still shines in 日曜日 (Sunday), 日本語 (Japanese), and 日常 (everyday life).
にほん = もとのひ
ひのでるくに
日曜日 · 日本語 · 日常
Native Speaker's NoteWhat your textbook won't tell you
①
⚠ Don't confuse with — 目 (eye) looks very similar — 目 is taller. Tip: 日 (sun) is square, 目 (eye) is a tall rectangle (like a real eye shape).日（ひ）≠ 目（め）
②
日 holds 5 readings — and breaks its own rules — 日 can be read ニチ (日曜日), ジツ (休日), ひ (暑い日), び (誕生日), and か (三日・みっか) — the most readings of any N5 kanji. And then it breaks its own rules: 今日 (きょう), 昨日 (きのう), and 明日 (あした) follow none of them. Even native Japanese children memorise these as exceptions, so you are in good company.ニチ · ジツ · ひ · び · か — 5 readings from one kanji
③
日本 — why "Nihon"? — 日本 literally means "origin of the sun" — Japan is east of China, where the sun rises. The name came from Chinese travellers describing the direction of the rising sun.にほん · にっぽん — both readings are correct
© JAPANAN · japananjapanesetutoring.com · Personal study use only
N5 Kanji · 日 · Sheet 4 of 110