こと
koto
JLPT N48 strokesKanjiLevel 15 - JLPT N4

Quick answer

事 is the kanji for "Thing". The most common reading is こと (koto). Mnemonics and example sentences are listed below.

Meaning

Thing

Also : Fact · Matter · Business · Reason

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Readings

kunこと/ kotokunつか.う/ tsukaukunつか.える/ tsukaeruon/ jion/ zu

kun = Japanese reading · on = Chinese reading

Practice writing

Trace the kanji stroke by stroke with a visual guide.

Stroke Order

8 strokes

Radicals

Memory Aid

Meaning ·

The kanji 事 represents 'MATTER'. Think of this shape as a picture representing the concept of matter.

Reading ·

On-reading: じ — remember this sound by associating it with matter. Kun-reading: こと.

Example Sentences

大事なメモを取りました。

だいじなめもをとりました。

I took an important note.

仕事が終わったら連絡します。

しごとがおわったられんらくします。

I'll contact you when work is done.

Vocabulary using 事

Grammar to study at this level

Last updated Jul 4, 2026

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