Kanji

What does the kanji 最 mean?

最 means most, above all. On'yomi サイ、シュ. Kun'yomi もっと.も、つま.

Quick facts
On'yomiサイ、シュ
Kun'yomiもっと.も、つま
Strokes12
Main radical曰
Level (estimated, JLPT framework)N3
On'yomi サイ、シュKun'yomi もっと.も、つま
N3 · estimated, JLPT framework12 strokes

most, above all

Memory hook

Under the sun (日) the hand picks (取) the one better than all the rest — MOST, THE BEST.

Stroke order · 12 strokes

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12

Common words

  • 最ももっともmost, the -est
  • 最後さいごthe last, the end
  • 最近さいきんrecently

More words with this kanji

  • 最初さいしょfirst, at the beginning
  • 最中さいちゅうin the middle of, right in the midst of
  • 最低さいていlowest, worst, minimum
  • 最終さいしゅうlast, final (noun/prefix: 最終回 final episode, 最終電車 last train)
  • 最高さいこうhighest, best
  • 最~さい~most, -est (prefix)
  • 最善さいぜんthe best, one's utmost
  • 最中さなかright in the middle of, at the height of

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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.