← Kanji module
N5 · 3 strokes · 39. 子 child · Irodori #7 · Starter L4
子
11PM-1AM, child, first sign of Chinese zodiac, sign of the rat
Stroke diagrams © KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).
Readings
- On’yomi
- シ、ス、ツ
- Kun’yomi
- -こ、こ、ね
Example words
子
こ
child; kid
子
ね
the Rat (first sign of the Chinese zodiac)
子
こう
child
子
し
child (esp. a boy)
Memory aids
Guided learn session →How to remember
Shape
A baby wrapped in a blanket with one arm reaching out — a child.
Components
A baby in swaddling clothes with one arm free — child.
Anchor word
子ども (こども) — your first meeting with this kanji in Irodori.
Readings
First learned in 子ども (こども) — recall the word to unlock the reading. Kun'yomi: -こ、こ、ね — often used in native Japanese words (like 子ども). On'yomi: シ、ス、ツ — common in compound words (熟語).