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九

九 — nine

Learn the correct stroke order for 九 (nine), a 2-stroke kanji.

JLPT N5Grade 12 strokes

Stroke Order

12
Stroke 0 / 2
On'yomi (音読み)キュウkyuu、クku
Kun'yomi (訓読み)ここのkokono、ここの.つkokonotsu
Strokes2
Radical乙
Frequency#55
Meaningsnine

Step-by-Step Diagram

1
2

Try Writing It

Practice writing each stroke in the correct order and direction. Start from the green dot.

Draw stroke 1 of 2 — start from the green dot

Common Words

九つここのつninenumeral
九九くくmultiplication table; times tablenoun
九月くがつSeptembernoun
九州きゅうしゅうKyūshū (southernmost of the four main islands of Japan)noun
九重ここのえninefoldnoun
九日ここのか9th day of the monthnoun

Usage & Examples

Usage Notes

The kanji 九 (nine) is taught in grade 1 of Japanese elementary school and appears at JLPT N5 level. It has 2 strokes with radical 乙.

In newspaper frequency rankings, 九 is #55, making it one of the most commonly used kanji.

Example Words in Context

九つここのつ — nine
九九くく — multiplication table; times table
九月くがつ — September

Practice Sheet

Trace then write on your own. Print this row as a PDF practice sheet.

Related Kanji

Same radical (乙)

乙the latter乞beg乱riot乳milk亀tortoise乾drought

Same reading

休rest

Frequently Asked Questions

How many strokes does 九 have?

The kanji 九 (nine) has 2 strokes. Watch the animation above to see the correct order.

What is the correct stroke order for 九?

九 follows the standard Japanese stroke order as taught in schools. Use the step-by-step diagram or the "Try Writing" tool above to practice each stroke in sequence.

What does 九 mean?

九 means: nine. On'yomi readings: キュウ, ク. Kun'yomi readings: ここの, ここの.つ.

What JLPT level is 九?

九 is a JLPT N5 kanji. This is a beginner-level kanji.