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What is the Kanji for 'Year' and 'Years old'? | 歳

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Year' and 'Years old', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Year' and 'Years old' is 歳.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Year, Years old

    Reading

    onyomiせい

    sei

    さい

    sai

    Parts

    Stop Small

    Example Word

    二十歳: twenty years old. The Japanese noun '二十歳 (はたち)' specifically refers to the age of 20 years old. In Japan, turning 20 is a significant milestone as it marks the age of adulthood, celebrated during the Coming of Age Day (成人の日, せいじんのひ). This term is often used in contexts related to legal adulthood, responsibilities, and celebrations. For example: She turned 20 this year「彼女は今年二十歳になった」(かのじょはことしはたちになった). In Japan, you become an adult at 20「日本では二十歳で成人になる」(にほんでははたちでせいじんになる).

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    13

    JLPT

    N3

    Grade

    7

    Frequency

    585

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 3 parts:

    kanji

    Meaning

    Stop

    component

    kanji

    Meaning

    Small

Words Using

This kanji is used in 5 words:

    word

    Meaning

    Years old

    word

    万歳

    Meaning

    Hurrah, Long live

    word

    二十歳

    Meaning

    Twenty years old

    word

    歳末

    Meaning

    Year end

    word

    お歳暮

    Meaning

    Year end gift

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 9 kanji contain the part 止 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Correct

    kanji

    Meaning

    Walk

    kanji

    Meaning

    Plan, Project

    kanji

    Meaning

    Tooth

    kanji

    Meaning

    Curriculum, Continuation

    kanji

    Meaning

    Blessedness, Welfare

    kanji

    Meaning

    Military

    kanji

    Meaning

    Astringent, Not going smoothly

    kanji

    Meaning

    Assent, Agreement

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 7 kanji contain the part 戈 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Fight, War

    kanji

    Meaning

    Some, How many

    kanji

    Meaning

    Self, Ego

    kanji

    Meaning

    Fell, Cut down

    kanji

    Meaning

    Admonish, Commandment

    kanji

    Meaning

    Play, Frolic

    kanji

    Meaning

    Capital, Suburbs of capital

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 9 kanji contain the part 小 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Few

    kanji

    Meaning

    Capital

    kanji

    Meaning

    Thread

    kanji

    Meaning

    Prefecture

    kanji

    Meaning

    Show, Indicate

    kanji

    Meaning

    Still, Esteem

    kanji

    Meaning

    Resemble, Resemblance

    kanji

    Meaning

    Guest, Vip

    kanji

    Meaning

    Purification, Observe religious abstinence

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 歳 mean?

歳 means 'Year' and 'Years old'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Junior Highschool, 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.