人 – Person (Hito / Nin / Jin Kanji)
Learn the meaning, Onyomi and Kunyomi readings, stroke order, common vocabulary, and example sentences for the Japanese Kanji 人.
Kanji 人 Readings – Onyomi & Kunyomi
人 has both an Onyomi (Chinese-derived) reading and Kunyomi (native Japanese) readings, each used in different word contexts.
Used in compound words such as 日本人 (nihonjin – Japanese person) and 外国人 (gaikokujin – foreigner).
Used as a standalone word meaning person, such as 人々 (hitobito – people) and 一人 (hitori – one person, alone).
人 Stroke Order – How to Write 人
人 is written with 2 strokes. Follow the numbered order below to write it correctly.
💡 Tip: Write the left stroke first (sweeping down-left), then the right stroke (sweeping down-right), meeting at the top.
Common Words Using 人 (Vocabulary List)
Here are 10 essential words that use the kanji 人, worth memorizing first.
Example Sentences with 人
See 人 used in real, natural Japanese sentences with Kanji, Kana, Romaji and English meaning.
彼は日本人です。
かれは にほんじんです。
Kare wa nihonjin desu.
He is Japanese.
私は一人で住んでいます。
わたしは ひとりで すんでいます。
Watashi wa hitori de sunde imasu.
I live alone.
このお祭りには多くの人々が来ます。
この おまつりには おおくの ひとびとが きます。
Kono omatsuri ni wa ooku no hitobito ga kimasu.
Many people come to this festival.
このレストランはとても人気があります。
この れすとらんは とても にんきが あります。
Kono resutoran wa totemo ninki ga arimasu.
This restaurant is very popular.
教室には何人いますか。
きょうしつには なんにん いますか。
Kyoushitsu ni wa nannin imasu ka.
How many people are in the classroom?
Frequently Asked Questions About 人
What does the Kanji 人 mean?
人 means person. It is one of the most fundamental JLPT N5 kanji and appears in many everyday words such as 日本人 (nihonjin, Japanese person) and 一人 (hitori, one person, alone).
What is the Onyomi reading of 人?
The Onyomi (Chinese-derived) readings of 人 are ジン (jin), as in 日本人 (nihonjin, Japanese person), and ニン (nin), used when counting people, as in 三人 (sannin, three people).
What is the Kunyomi reading of 人?
The Kunyomi (native Japanese) reading of 人 is ひと (hito), meaning "person," as in 人々 (hitobito, people) and 一人 (hitori, one person).
How many strokes does 人 have?
人 is written with just 2 strokes, making it one of the simplest kanji.
Is 人 a JLPT N5 kanji?
Yes, 人 is part of the official JLPT N5 kanji list and is one of the very first kanji beginners learn.
Your Japanese story
starts right now.
Join 2.4 million learners. Free 6 Month Premium plan. No credit card needed.