Readings: シ (Onyomi), つぎ, つぐ (Kunyomi)
Meaning: Next, second, sequence, to follow
The kanji 次 originally depicted a person (人) with an open mouth (欠), implying someone following in line, taking turns, or ordering/counting. It evolved to mean “next” or “second.”
View JLPT N3 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 次 is written with 6 strokes. Start with the two horizontal strokes, then the vertical hook, followed by the left-sweeping stroke, and finally the two strokes on the right side (the 欠 radical).
Kanji Details
| Radical | 欠 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 6 |
| JLPT Level | N3 |
| Grade | Grade 3 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- シ (Shi)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- つぎ (tsugi)
- つぐ (tsugu)
Common Words Using 次
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 次回 | じかい | next time |
| 次第 | しだい | as soon as; dependent on; gradually |
| 次々 | じじ | one after another |
| 目次 | もくじ | table of contents |
| 順次 | じゅんじ | in order, in succession |
| 次男 | じなん | second son |
| 次女 | じじょ | second daughter |
| 次期 | じき | next term/period/season |
| 次席 | じせき | second seat, runner-up |
| 次点 | じてん | next highest, runner-up |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 次 | つぎ | next, following |
| 次に | つぎに | next, then |
| 次ぐ | つぐ | to follow, to rank next to |
| 次の日 | つぎのひ | the next day |
| 次の方 | つぎのかた | the next person |
| 次の一歩 | つぎのいっぽ | the next step |
| 次の駅 | つぎのえき | the next station |
| 次の機会 | つぎのきかい | the next opportunity |
| 次へ | つぎへ | to the next |
| 次で | つぎで | at the next (stop/turn) |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 次の電車は何時ですか？
Kana: つぎのでんしゃはなんじですか？
Romaji: Tsugi no densha wa nanji desu ka?
English: What time is the next train?
Japanese: 次に何をしますか？
Kana: つぎになにをしますか？
Romaji: Tsugi ni nani o shimasu ka?
English: What will you do next?
Japanese: 彼は社長に次ぐ実力者だ。
Kana: かれはしゃちょうにつぐじつりょくしゃだ。
Romaji: Kare wa shachou ni tsugu jitsuryokusha da.
English: He is the most capable person after the president.
Japanese: 次回、詳しく説明します。
Kana: じかい、くわしくせつめいします。
Romaji: Jikai, kuwashiku setsumei shimasu.
English: I will explain it in detail next time.
Japanese: 目次を見てください。
Kana: もくじをみてください。
Romaji: Mokuji o mite kudasai.
English: Please look at the table of contents.
Japanese: 次から次へと問題が起こる。
Kana: つぎからつぎへともんだいがおこる。
Romaji: Tsugi kara tsugi e to mondai ga okoru.
English: Problems occur one after another.
Japanese: 次女が来年小学校に入学します。
Kana: じじょがらいねんしょうがっこうににゅうがくします。
Romaji: Jijo ga rainen shougakkou ni nyuugaku shimasu.
English: My second daughter will enter elementary school next year.
Japanese: 順次、ご案内いたします。
Kana: じゅんじ、ごあんないいたします。
Romaji: Junji, go-annai itashimasu.
English: We will guide you in order (one after another).
Japanese: 次期大統領は誰になるだろう。
Kana: じきだいとうりょうはだれになるだろう。
Romaji: Jiki daitouryou wa dare ni naru darou.
English: Who will be the next president?
Japanese: 次世代の技術に期待しています。
Kana: じせだいのぎじゅつにきたいしています。
Romaji: Jisedai no gijutsu ni kitai shiteimasu.
English: I have high hopes for next-generation technology.
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