Quick answer
歳 is the kanji for "Age". The most common reading is とし (toshi). Mnemonics and example sentences are listed below.
Meaning
Age
Also : Year-end · Occasion · Opportunity
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Readings
kun = Japanese reading · on = Chinese reading
Practice writing
Trace the kanji stroke by stroke with a visual guide.
Stroke Order
13 strokes
Radicals
Memory Aid
The kanji 歳 represents 'YEAR-END'. Think of this shape as a picture representing the concept of year-end.
On-reading: さい — remember this sound by associating it with year-end. Kun-reading: とし.
Example Sentences
何歳になっても新しいことを学ぶ姿勢が大切だ。
なんさいになってもあたらしいことをまなぶしせいがたいせつだ。
No matter how old you get, the attitude of learning new things is important.
祖父は八十歳を過ぎても元気に働いている。
そふははちじゅっさいをすぎてもげんきにはたらいている。
My grandfather is still working energetically even past eighty.
Vocabulary using 歳
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 Jul 22, 2026
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