来 – Come / Next (Rai / Kuru Kanji)
Learn the meaning, Onyomi and Kunyomi readings, stroke order, common vocabulary, and example sentences for the Japanese Kanji 来.
Kanji 来 Readings – Onyomi & Kunyomi
来 has both an Onyomi (Chinese-derived) reading and Kunyomi (native Japanese) readings, each used in different word contexts.
Used in compound words such as 来年 (rainen – next year), 来月 (raigetsu – next month), and 未来 (mirai – future).
く(る) is the common verb "to come," as in 来る (kuru). きた(る) is a more literary or formal reading meaning "to come" or "approaching," often seen in written contexts such as 来る日曜日 (kitaru nichiyoubi – the coming Sunday).
来 Stroke Order – How to Write 来
来 is written with 7 strokes. Follow the numbered order below to write it correctly.
💡 Tip: Write the top horizontal stroke first, then the vertical through the center, followed by the two side diagonals at the top and the two diagonals at the bottom.
Common Words Using 来 (Vocabulary List)
Here are 10 essential words that use the kanji 来, worth memorizing first.
Example Sentences with 来
See 来 used in real, natural Japanese sentences with Kanji, Kana, Romaji and English meaning.
友達が家に来ます。
ともだちが いえに きます。
Tomodachi ga ie ni kimasu.
My friend is coming to my house.
来年日本へ行きます。
らいねん にほんへ いきます。
Rainen Nihon e ikimasu.
I will go to Japan next year.
彼は将来医者になりたいです。
かれは しょうらい いしゃに なりたいです。
Kare wa shourai isha ni naritai desu.
He wants to become a doctor in the future.
来週の予定は何ですか。
らいしゅうの よていは なんですか。
Raishuu no yotei wa nan desu ka.
What are your plans for next week?
日本語を話すことが出来ます。
にほんごを はなすことが できます。
Nihongo o hanasu koto ga dekimasu.
I can speak Japanese.
Frequently Asked Questions About 来
What does the Kanji 来 mean?
来 means "come" or "next." It is one of the most common JLPT N5 kanji, seen in words like 来る (kuru, to come) and 来年 (rainen, next year).
What is the Onyomi reading of 来?
The Onyomi (Chinese-derived) reading of 来 is ライ (rai), as in 来年 (rainen, next year) and 未来 (mirai, future).
What is the Kunyomi reading of 来?
The Kunyomi (native Japanese) readings of 来 are く(る) (to come) and きた(る) (to come, more literary).
How many strokes does 来 have?
来 is written with 7 strokes.
Is 来 a JLPT N5 kanji?
Yes, 来 is part of the official JLPT N5 kanji list and is extremely common, appearing in essential words like 来る (to come) and 来年 (next year).
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