Quick answer
居 is the kanji for "To be". It is a JLPT N3 kanji. The main reading is い.る (iru). Stroke-order practice is available below.
Meaning
To be
Also : Exist · Reside · Live with
Learn 居 with SRS
Free to start — no credit card. Track every review with spaced repetition.
Readings
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
The kanji 居 represents 'RESIDE'. Think of this shape as a picture representing the concept of reside.
On-reading: きょ — remember this sound by associating it with reside. Kun-reading: い.る.
Example Sentences
居間でテレビを見ています。
いまでてれびをみています。
I'm watching TV in the living room.
今どこに居ますか？
いまどこにいますか？
Where are you now?
Vocabulary using 居
Grammar to study at this level
- [Verb dictionary/nai form] + ように～ように (you ni) - So that
- [Verb dictionary form] + ことにする～ことにする (koto ni suru) - Decide to
- [Verb dictionary form] + ことになる～ことになる (koto ni naru) - It has been decided that
- [Noun/Verb te-form] + ばかり～ばかり (bakari) - Only / Nothing but
- [Verb/Adjective plain form] + はずだ～はずだ (hazu da) - Should be / It is expected
Last updated Jun 11, 2026
Learn 居 with Spaced Repetition
InitialJ uses scientifically proven SRS to help you memorize kanji and vocabulary for the JLPT. N5 is free forever; no credit card required.