Readings: ノウ (Onyomi), あた.う (Kunyomi)
Meaning: Ability, talent, skill, performance, Noh (theatre)
The character originally depicted a bear, symbolizing its strength and capability. Over time, it evolved to represent “ability,” “talent,” and “skill.” It also gained the meaning of “Noh” (traditional Japanese theatrical art), likely due to its connection with performance and skill.
View JLPT N3 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 能 is drawn in 10 strokes. Start with the left radical which resembles a simplified ‘肉’ (niku) or ‘月’ (tsuki) radical. Then, proceed with the strokes for the right side, resembling ‘匕’ (hi) followed by a final, longer horizontal stroke.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 月 (にくづき) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 10 |
| JLPT Level | N3 |
| Grade | 5 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- ノウ (Nou)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- あたう (ata.u)
Common Words Using 能
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 能力 | nōryoku | ability, capacity, competence |
| 性能 | seinō | performance (of a machine, product, etc.), efficiency |
| 機能 | kinō | function, faculty |
| 可能 | kanō | possible, feasibility |
| 才能 | sainō | talent, gift, aptitude |
| 能率 | nōritsu | efficiency, performance |
| 技能 | ginō | technical skill, art, craft |
| 能動的 | nōdōteki | active, proactive |
| 万能 | bannō | almighty, all-purpose, versatile |
| 能楽 | nōgaku | Noh (traditional Japanese theatrical art) |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 能う | ata.u | to be able to, to be capable of (classical/literary verb) |
| 能わざる | atawazaru | unable to, cannot (classical/literary negative form) |
| 能わず | atawazu | unable to, cannot (classical/literary negative form, often at end of sentence) |
| 能う限り | atau kagiri | as much as one can, to the best of one’s ability (classical/literary phrase) |
| 能わざる者 | atawazaru mono | one who cannot, an incapable person (classical/literary compound) |
| 能えば | ataeba | if one is able to (classical/literary conditional form) |
| 能わぬ | atawanu | unable (classical/literary adjectival negative form) |
| 能うる者 | ata.uru mono | one who is capable (classical/literary, attributive form modifying ‘mono’) |
| 能うべし | atau beshi | should be able to, can (classical/literary auxiliary verb usage) |
| 能うとも | atau tomo | even if one can (classical/literary concessive form) |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 彼は高い日本語能力を持っています。
Kana: かれはたかいにほんごのうりょくをもっています。
Romaji: Kare wa takai nihongo nōryoku o motteimasu.
English: He has high Japanese language ability.
Japanese: この車の燃費性能は非常に良いです。
Kana: このくるまのねんぴせいのうはひじょうによいです。
Romaji: Kono kuruma no nenpi seinō wa hijō ni yoi desu.
English: This car’s fuel efficiency performance is very good.
Japanese: スマートフォンの新機能が追加されました。
Kana: スマートフォンのしんきのうがついかされました。
Romaji: Sumātofon no shin-kinō ga tsuika saremashita.
English: New functions have been added to the smartphone.
Japanese: それは理論的には可能ですが、実際は難しいでしょう。
Kana: それはりろんてきにはかのうですが、じっさいはむずかしいでしょう。
Romaji: Sore wa riron-teki ni wa kanō desu ga, jissai wa muzukashii deshō.
English: It’s theoretically possible, but it will probably be difficult in practice.
Japanese: 彼女は音楽の才能に恵まれています。
Kana: かのじょはおんがくのさいのうにめぐまれています。
Romaji: Kanojo wa ongaku no sainō ni megumareteimasu.
English: She is blessed with musical talent.
Japanese: 仕事の能率を上げるために新しいツールを導入しました。
Kana: しごとののうりつをあげるためあたらしいツールをどうにゅうしました。
Romaji: Shigoto no nōritsu o ageru tame ni atarashii tsūru o dōnyū shimashita.
English: We introduced new tools to increase work efficiency.
Japanese: 彼は日本の伝統芸能である能楽を研究しています。
Kana: かれはにほんのでんとうげいのうであるのうがくをけんきゅうしています。
Romaji: Kare wa Nihon no dentō geinō de aru nōgaku o kenkyū shiteimasu.
English: He is researching Noh, a traditional Japanese performing art.
Japanese: 職人たちは高い技能を持っています。
Kana: しょくにんたちはたかいぎのうをもっています。
Romaji: Shokunin-tachi wa takai ginō o motteimasu.
English: The artisans possess high technical skills.
Japanese: 医者は患者を救うために能う限り尽力した。
Kana: いしゃはかんじゃをすくうためあたうかぎりじんりょくした。
Romaji: Isha wa kanja o sukuu tame atau kagiri jinryoku shita.
English: The doctor did everything they could to save the patient.
Japanese: その製品は万能クリーナーとして人気があります。
Kana: そのせいひんはばんのうクリーナーとしてにんきがあります。
Romaji: Sono seihin wa bannō kurīnā to shite ninki ga arimasu.
English: That product is popular as an all-purpose cleaner.
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