What is the Kanji for 'Zero'? | 零

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

The Japanese Kanji for 'Zero' is 零.

kanji

零

Meaning

Zero

Reading

kunyomiこぼ

kobo

onyomiれい

rei

Parts

⻗令Orders

Example Word

零: zero. The Japanese noun '零 (れい)' means 'zero'. It is used to denote the number zero, often in contexts such as mathematics, scores, or temperatures. For example: The temperature is zero degrees「温度は零度です」(おんどはれいどです). The score is zero「スコアは零です」(スコアはれいです). This word can also be used metaphorically to indicate nothingness or the absence of something, as in 'He has zero experience「彼は経験が零です」(かれはけいけんがれいです)'. Note that '零' is more formal than the alternative 'ゼロ', which is also commonly used in Japanese.

Radical

雨

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1863

Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji 零

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

component

⻗

kanji

令

Meaning

Orders

Words Using 零

This kanji is used in 2 words:

word

零

Meaning

Zero

word

零下

Meaning

Below zero

Kanji Related to 零 Through the Part ⻗

These 3 kanji contain the part ⻗ as well.

kanji

雷

Meaning

Thunder, Lightning

kanji

露

Meaning

Dew, Expose

kanji

霊

Meaning

Spirits

Kanji Related to 零 Through the Part 令

These 5 kanji contain the part 令 as well.

kanji

冷

Meaning

Cold

kanji

命

Meaning

Command, Life

kanji

領

Meaning

Territory

kanji

齢

Meaning

Age

kanji

鈴

Meaning

Small bell, Buzzer

Learn the Kanji 零

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 零 mean?

零 means 'Zero'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Junior Highschool, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N2 exam.

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