Readings: くん (Onyomi), きみ (Kunyomi)
Meaning: you, mister, ruler, sovereign, lord
The kanji 君 originally depicted a hand holding a scepter or staff, symbolizing authority. It later evolved to represent a ruler or lord, and by extension, a person addressed with respect or familiarity (like “you”).
View JLPT N3 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 君 (kimi/kun) is composed of 7 strokes. It starts with the radical 口 (mouth) at the top, followed by the component 尹 below it. Pay attention to the order and direction of each stroke for proper formation.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 口 (くち) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 7 |
| JLPT Level | N3 |
| Grade | S |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- くん (kun)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- きみ (kimi)
Common Words Using 君
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 君主 | くんしゅ | monarch, sovereign |
| 君臨 | くんりん | reigning, ruling |
| 諸君 | しょくん | ladies and gentlemen, all of you (formal address) |
| 暴君 | ぼうくん | tyrant, despot |
| 主君 | しゅくん | lord, master |
| 賢君 | けんくん | wise ruler |
| 聖君 | せいくん | wise and virtuous ruler |
| 明君 | めいくん | enlightened ruler |
| 君子 | くんし | gentleman, person of virtue (classical) |
| 君側 | くんそく | at the side of the sovereign |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 君 | きみ | you (informal, used by superior to inferior, or close friends/partners) |
| 君たち | きみたち | you all (informal) |
| 君が代 | きみがよ | Japan’s national anthem |
| 君付け | きみづけ | calling someone ‘kimi’ (as a suffix or honorific) |
| 君のこと | きみのこと | about you |
| 君の家 | きみのいえ | your house |
| 君の意見 | きみのいけん | your opinion |
| 君も | きみも | you too |
| 僕と君 | ぼくときみ | me and you |
| 君はどう？ | きみはどう？ | How about you? |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 君はどこへ行くの？
Kana: きみはどこへいくの？
Romaji: Kimi wa doko e iku no?
English: Where are you going?
Japanese: 君が一番好きだよ。
Kana: きみがいちばんすきだよ。
Romaji: Kimi ga ichiban suki da yo.
English: I like you the most.
Japanese: 君たち、静かにしなさい！
Kana: きみたち、しずかにしなさい！
Romaji: Kimitachi, shizuka ni shinasai!
English: You all, be quiet!
Japanese: 彼は僕の主君だ。
Kana: かれはぼくのしゅくんだ。
Romaji: Kare wa boku no shukun da.
English: He is my lord.
Japanese: この国は賢君によって治められている。
Kana: このくにはけんくんによっておさめられている。
Romaji: Kono kuni wa kenkun ni yotte osamerarete iru.
English: This country is ruled by a wise ruler.
Japanese: 君主制は世界中で見られる統治形態だ。
Kana: くんしゅせいはせかいじゅうでみられるとうちけいたいだ。
Romaji: Kunshusei wa sekaijuu de mirareru touchi keitai da.
English: Monarchy is a form of government seen all over the world.
Japanese: 暴君の支配は長続きしない。
Kana: ぼうくんのしはいはながつづきしない。
Romaji: Boukun no shihai wa nagatsuzuki shinai.
English: A tyrant’s rule does not last long.
Japanese: 諸君の協力に感謝する。
Kana: しょくんのきょうりょくにかんしゃする。
Romaji: Shokun no kyouryoku ni kansha suru.
English: I appreciate your cooperation, everyone.
Japanese: 君の笑顔を見ると元気が出る。
Kana: きみのえがおをみるとげんきがでる。
Romaji: Kimi no egao o miru to genki ga deru.
English: Seeing your smile cheers me up.
Japanese: 「君が代」は日本の国歌です。
Kana: 「きみがよ」はにほんのこっかです。
Romaji: “Kimigayo” wa Nihon no kokka desu.
English: “Kimigayo” is Japan’s national anthem.
Related Grammar & kanji list
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