Readings: ナ (Onyomi), (Kunyomi)
Meaning: Nara; what? (used in names, old interrogative)
The kanji 奈 is said to derive from a pictograph of a tree (木) with large fruits (大), representing a specific type of fruit tree. It later evolved to be used phonetically, especially in place names and personal names, and also in older contexts to convey “how” or “what.”
View JLPT N1 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 奈 has 8 strokes. It starts with the horizontal stroke at the top, followed by the two strokes forming the “大” radical. The remaining strokes form the “示” or similar component at the bottom, drawn with the vertical, horizontal, left-falling, and right-falling strokes.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 大 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 8 |
| JLPT Level | N1 |
| Grade | S |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- ナ (na)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- (なし) ((nashi))
Common Words Using 奈
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 奈良 | なら | Nara (city, prefecture) |
| 神奈川 | かながわ | Kanagawa (prefecture) |
| 奈落 | ならく | hell; abyss; lowest depths; bottomless pit |
| 如何 | いかん | how; what; in what way (often archaic, sometimes written 奈何) |
| 奈津子 | なつこ | Natsuko (female given name) |
| 奈緒美 | なおみ | Naomi (female given name) |
| 奈々 | なな | Nana (female given name) |
| 奈央 | なお | Nao (female given name) |
| 奈々子 | ななこ | Nanako (female given name) |
| 奈月 | なつき | Natsuki (given name, male or female) |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 奈良は日本の古都として有名です。
Kana: ならはにほんのこきょうとしてゆうめいです。
Romaji: Nara wa Nihon no kokyō to shite yūmei desu.
English: Nara is famous as an ancient capital of Japan.
Japanese: 神奈川県は東京の南に位置しています。
Kana: かながわけんはとうきょうのみなみにいちしています。
Romaji: Kanagawa-ken wa Tōkyō no minami ni ichi shite imasu.
English: Kanagawa Prefecture is located south of Tokyo.
Japanese: 彼は絶望の奈落に突き落とされた。
Kana: かれはぜつぼうのならくにつきおとされた。
Romaji: Kare wa zetsubō no naraku ni tsukiotosareta.
English: He was plunged into the abyss of despair.
Japanese: 奈津子さんはいつも笑顔が素敵です。
Kana: なつこさんはいつもえがおがすてきです。
Romaji: Natsuko-san wa itsumo egao ga suteki desu.
English: Natsuko always has a wonderful smile.
Japanese: 奈緒美さんは来月、日本へ留学します。
Kana: なおみさんはらいげつ、にほんへりゅうがくします。
Romaji: Naomi-san wa raigetsu, Nihon e ryūgaku shimasu.
English: Naomi will study abroad in Japan next month.
Japanese: 奈々さんはピアノがとても上手です。
Kana: ななさんはぴあのがとてもじょうずです。
Romaji: Nana-san wa piano ga totemo jōzu desu.
English: Nana is very good at playing the piano.
Japanese: 奈央さんの描く絵はいつも感動的だ。
Kana: なおさんのえがくえはいつもかんどうてきだ。
Romaji: Nao-san no egaku e wa itsumo kandōteki da.
English: Nao’s paintings are always moving.
Japanese: 奈々子さんは大学で日本語を専攻しています。
Kana: ななこさんはだいがくでにほんごをせんこうしています。
Romaji: Nanako-san wa daigaku de Nihongo o senkō shite imasu.
English: Nanako is majoring in Japanese at university.
Japanese: この夏休み、奈月さんと旅行に行く予定です。
Kana: このなつやすみ、なつきさんとりょこうにいくよていです。
Romaji: Kono natsuyasumi, Natsuki-san to ryokō ni iku yotei desu.
English: I plan to travel with Natsuki this summer vacation.
Japanese: 奈津さんの意見はいつも的確だ。
Kana: なつさんのいけんはいつもてきかくだ。
Romaji: Natsu-san no iken wa itsumo tekikaku da.
English: Natsu’s opinions are always precise.
Related Grammar & kanji list
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