Kanji

What does the kanji 常 mean?

常 means usual, ordinary; always. On'yomi ジョウ. Kun'yomi つね、とこ-.

Quick facts
On'yomiジョウ
Kun'yomiつね、とこ-
Strokes11
Main radical巾
Level (estimated, JLPT framework)N3
On'yomi ジョウKun'yomi つね、とこ-
N3 · estimated, JLPT framework11 strokes

usual, ordinary; always

Memory hook

The cloth (巾) hangs in its high place (尚) every single day — USUAL, ALWAYS.

Main radical

巾cloth 3 strokes

Stroke order · 11 strokes

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11

Common words

  • 常につねにalways, constantly
  • 常識じょうしきcommon sense
  • 異常いじょうabnormal, unusual
  • 非常にひじょうにextremely, very

More words with this kanji

  • 日常にちじょうeveryday, daily life
  • 非常ひじょうemergency; extraordinary
  • 常連じょうれんregular customer
  • 平常へいじょうnormal, usual, everyday
  • 正常せいじょうnormal
  • 通常つうじょうusually, normally

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Data sources and licences

English meanings, On/Kun readings, stroke counts: KANJIDIC2 — Electronic Dictionary Research and Development Group (EDRDG), licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Components: KRADFILE (EDRDG). Stroke order: KanjiVG (Ulrich Apel), licensed CC BY-SA 3.0. Mnemonics written by GoMe.

Voice: VOICEVOX Nemo.

N5–N1 levels on this page are estimates based on the JLPT framework, drawn from community benchmarks. GoMe Nihongo is not affiliated with the Japan Foundation or JEES, which administer the JLPT.