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What is the Kanji for 'Ability'? | 能

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Ability', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Ability' is 能.

    kanji

    能

    Meaning

    Ability

    Reading

    onyomiのう

    nou

    Parts

    䏍 匕Spoon

    Example Word

    可能: possible. The Japanese adjectival noun '可能 (かのう)' means 'possible'. It is used to describe something that can be done or achieved, or something that has the potential to happen. This word is often used in formal or technical contexts. For example: it is possible to finish this project by tomorrow「このプロジェクトは明日までに終わらせることは可能です」(このプロジェクトはあしたまでにおわらせることはかのうです). Is it possible to change the schedule?「スケジュールを変更することは可能ですか?」(スケジュールをへんこうすることはかのうですか?). Note that '可能' is often used in combination with verbs to express the possibility of doing something, as in '可能にする (かのうにする)' (to make possible).

    Radical

    肉

    Stroke Count

    10

    JLPT

    N3

    Grade

    5

    Frequency

    349

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji 能

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    component

    䏍

    radical

    匕

    Meaning

    Spoon

能 As Part Of Other Kanji

This kanji appears as part of 3 other kanji:

    kanji

    罷

    Meaning

    Quit, Dismiss

    kanji

    熊

    Meaning

    Bear

    kanji

    態

    Meaning

    Appearance, Condition

Words Using 能

This kanji is used in 14 words:

    word

    有能

    Meaning

    Capable

    word

    無能

    Meaning

    Incompetent

    word

    可能

    Meaning

    Possible

    word

    知能

    Meaning

    Intelligence

    word

    能力

    Meaning

    Ability

    word

    不可能

    Meaning

    Impossible

    word

    能

    Meaning

    Ability

    word

    才能

    Meaning

    Talent

    word

    能率

    Meaning

    Efficiency

    word

    放射能

    Meaning

    Radiation

    word

    機能

    Meaning

    Function

    word

    芸能

    Meaning

    Entertainment

    word

    性能

    Meaning

    Performance

    word

    本能

    Meaning

    Instinct

Kanji Related to 能 Through the Part 匕

These 9 kanji contain the part 匕 as well.

    kanji

    旨

    Meaning

    Purport, Delicious

    kanji

    壱

    Meaning

    One

    kanji

    匂

    Meaning

    Fragrance, Scent

    kanji

    死

    Meaning

    Death

    kanji

    化

    Meaning

    Change

    kanji

    老

    Meaning

    Old, Aged

    kanji

    北

    Meaning

    North

    kanji

    尼

    Meaning

    Nun, Priestess

    kanji

    頃

    Meaning

    Approximate

Learn the Kanji 能

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 能 mean?

能 means 'Ability'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Fifth Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N3 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.