Readings: シン (Onyomi), あたらしい・あらた (Kunyomi)
Meaning: new, fresh
The kanji 新 means “new.” It’s very common in daily Japanese, found in words like 新聞 (newspaper), 新しい (new), and 新年 (new year).
View JLPT N5 Kanji ListKanji Details
Radical | 斤 (axe) |
---|---|
Strokes | 13 |
JLPT Level | N5 |
Grade | 2nd Grade |
Readings
Onyomi | シン |
---|---|
Kunyomi | あたらしい・あらた |
How to Write – Stroke Order
新 has 13 strokes and is made up of the radicals for “stand,” “tree,” and “axe” — symbolically representing cutting down a tree for new beginnings.

Example Sentences
Japanese: 新しい本を買いました。
Kana: あたらしいほんをかいました。
Romaji: Atarashii hon o kaimashita.
English: I bought a new book.
Japanese: 新聞を読みます。
Kana: しんぶんをよみます。
Romaji: Shinbun o yomimasu.
English: I read the newspaper.
Japanese: 新しい先生は優しいです。
Kana: あたらしいせんせいはやさしいです。
Romaji: Atarashii sensei wa yasashii desu.
English: The new teacher is kind.
Vocabulary Using 新
Word | Reading | Meaning |
---|---|---|
新しい | あたらしい | new |
新聞 | しんぶん | newspaper |
新年 | しんねん | new year |
最新 | さいしん | latest |
新車 | しんしゃ | new car |
🔗 N5 Grammar & Vocabulary

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