Readings: ゴウ (Onyomi), (Kunyomi)
Meaning: number, sign, symbol, name, call, issue (of a publication)
The kanji 号 is believed to be a combination of 口 (kuchi, mouth) and 丂 (a variant possibly representing a sound or mark). It originally conveyed the idea of a “cry” or “shout,” which then expanded to mean a “mark,” “number,” “sign,” or “name,” often used for naming things in sequence or indicating a specific item or issue.
View JLPT N3 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 号 consists of 5 strokes. It begins with the top horizontal stroke, followed by the left vertical stroke of the “mouth” radical, then the closing horizontal stroke. After that, the two crossing strokes that form the upper right part are drawn, ending with the final long vertical stroke that crosses them.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 口 (くち) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 5 |
| JLPT Level | N3 |
| Grade | 3 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- ゴウ (GŌ)
Common Words Using 号
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 番号 | ばんごう | number |
| 信号 | しんごう | traffic light; signal |
| 記号 | きごう | symbol; mark |
| 呼号 | こごう | call out; shout; slogan |
| 称号 | しょうごう | title; degree |
| 背番号 | せばんごう | (sports) uniform number |
| 特許番号 | とっきょばんごう | patent number |
| 暗号 | あんごう | code; cipher |
| 号外 | ごうがい | extra edition (of a newspaper) |
| 最終号 | さいしゅうごう | final issue (of a publication) |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 電話番号を教えてください。
Kana: でんわばんごうをおしえてください。
Romaji: Denwa bangō o oshiete kudasai.
English: Please tell me your phone number.
Japanese: 信号が赤になった。
Kana: しんごうがあかになった。
Romaji: Shingō ga aka ni natta.
English: The traffic light turned red.
Japanese: この記号は何を意味しますか？
Kana: このきごうはなにをいみしますか？
Romaji: Kono kigō wa nani o imishimasu ka?
English: What does this symbol mean?
Japanese: 彼は背番号10番の選手です。
Kana: かれはせばんごうじゅうばんのせんしゅです。
Romaji: Kare wa sebangō jūban no senshu desu.
English: He is the player with jersey number 10.
Japanese: 郵便番号を書き忘れた。
Kana: ゆうびんばんごうをかきわすれた。
Romaji: Yūbin bangō o kaki wasureta.
English: I forgot to write the postal code.
Japanese: 緊急の呼号が聞こえた。
Kana: きんきゅうのこごうがきこえた。
Romaji: Kinkyū no kogō ga kikoeta.
English: An emergency call was heard.
Japanese: パスワードは暗号化されています。
Kana: パスワードはあんごうかされています。
Romaji: Pasuwādo wa angōka sarete imasu.
English: The password is encrypted.
Japanese: 彼女は博士の称号を持っています。
Kana: かのじょははかせのしょうごうをもっています。
Romaji: Kanojo wa hakase no shōgō o motte imasu.
English: She holds a doctoral title.
Japanese: 最終号の雑誌を買った。
Kana: さいしゅうごうのざっしをかった。
Romaji: Saishūgō no zasshi o katta.
English: I bought the last issue of the magazine.
Japanese: 今日、号外が出ました。
Kana: きょう、ごうがいがでました。
Romaji: Kyō, gōgai ga demashita.
English: An extra edition (of the newspaper) was published today.
Related Grammar & kanji list
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