Quick answer
近 is the kanji for "Near". It is a JLPT N4 kanji. The main reading is ちか.い (chikai). Stroke-order practice is available below.
Meaning
Near
Also : Close · Early · Akin
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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
7 strokes
Radicals
Memory Aid
The kanji 近 represents 'NEAR'. Think of this shape as a picture representing the concept of near.
On-reading: きん — remember this sound by associating it with near. Kun-reading: ちか.い.
Example Sentences
家の近くにコンビニがあるおかげで、夜中でも買い物できる。
いえのちかくにこんびにがあるおかげで、よなかでもかいものできる。
Thanks to the convenience store near my house, I can shop even in the middle of the night.
近い将来、旅行したいです。
ちかいしょうらい、りょこうしたいです。
I want to travel in the near future.
Vocabulary using 近
Grammar to study at this level
Last updated Jul 4, 2026
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