Readings: ジャク, ニャク (Onyomi), わか-い, もし-くは (Kunyomi)
Meaning: young, if, perhaps
The kanji 若 is a pictographic character depicting a young plant growing vigorously. The top part (艹, a variant of grass radical) suggests vegetation, while the bottom part (右) represents a hand, possibly indicating cultivation or nurturing, symbolizing “young” or “fresh growth.”
View JLPT N3 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 若 has 8 strokes. It starts with the top grass radical, followed by the left, then the right components.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 艹 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 8 |
| JLPT Level | N3 |
| Grade | 6 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- ジャク (JAKU)
- ニャク (NYAKU)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- わかい (wakai)
- もしくわ (moshikuwa)
Common Words Using 若
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 老若男女 | ろうにゃくなんにょ | men and women of all ages |
| 若年 | じゃくねん | young age |
| 若輩 | じゃくはい | inexperienced person, junior |
| 若年層 | じゃくねんそう | younger generation |
| 若年性 | じゃくねんせい | juvenile (e.g., in medical conditions) |
| 若気 | じゃっき | youthful spirit, impetuosity |
| 若気走り | じゃっきばしり | youthful recklessness |
| 若年者 | じゃくねんしゃ | young person, juvenile |
| 若年性認知症 | じゃくねんせいにんちしょう | early-onset dementia |
| 若生え | じゃくばえ | new growth (e.g., of hair) |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 若い | わかい | young |
| 若者 | わかもの | young person |
| 若葉 | わかば | young leaves, new foliage |
| 若さ | わかさ | youth (noun) |
| 若返る | わかがえる | to grow young again, rejuvenate |
| 若々しい | わかわかしい | youthful, fresh |
| 若手 | わかて | young (person), junior member |
| 若草 | わかくさ | young grass |
| 若しくは | もしくわ | or, otherwise, if |
| 若木 | わかぎ | young tree |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 彼はまだ若いです。
Kana: かれはまだわかいです。
Romaji: Kare wa mada wakai desu.
English: He is still young.
Japanese: 若者たちが集まっています。
Kana: わかものたちが集まっています。
Romaji: Wakamono-tachi ga atsumatteimasu.
English: Young people are gathering.
Japanese: 若葉が芽吹き始めました。
Kana: わかばがめぶきはじめました。
Romaji: Wakaba ga mebuki hajimemashita.
English: New leaves have started to bud.
Japanese: 若さを保つ秘訣は何ですか？
Kana: わかさをたもつひけつはなんですか？
Romaji: Wakasa o tamotsu hiketsu wa nan desu ka?
English: What is the secret to maintaining youth?
Japanese: この温泉は肌を若返らせると言われています。
Kana: このおんせんははだをわかがえらせるといわれています。
Romaji: Kono onsen wa hada o wakagaeraseru to iwareteimasu.
English: This hot spring is said to rejuvenate the skin.
Japanese: 彼女はいつまでも若々しい。
Kana: かのじょはいつまでもわかわかしい。
Romaji: Kanojo wa itsu made mo wakawakashii.
English: She is always youthful.
Japanese: 彼は会社で一番の若手です。
Kana: かれはかいしゃでいちばんのわかてです。
Romaji: Kare wa kaisha de ichiban no wakate desu.
English: He is the youngest member at the company.
Japanese: 老若男女、誰でも参加できます。
Kana: ろうにゃくなんにょ、だれでもさんかできます。
Romaji: Rōnyakunannyo, dare demo sanka dekimasu.
English: Men and women of all ages can participate.
Japanese: 若し彼が来なければ、私が行きます。
Kana: もし彼がこなければ、わたしがいくきます。
Romaji: Moshi kare ga konakereba, watashi ga ikimasu.
English: If he doesn’t come, I will go.
Japanese: 若木がすくすく育っています。
Kana: わかぎがすくすくそだっています。
Romaji: Wakagi ga sukumana sodatteimasu.
English: The young tree is growing steadily.
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