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N4

Kanji 新: meanings, readings, and example words.

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Kanji 新: new

Key takeaways

Kanji 新: new. Readings and core meaning.

See vocabulary and examples below.

Kanji at a glance

新
N4

Meaning

new

On reading

シン

Kun reading

あたら.しいあら.たあら-にい-

Radical

斤

Core meaning / core image

Core meaning: 新

new

Kanji structure breakdown

新

Structure breakdown

立 + 木 + 斤

Mnemonic story

Mnemonic story

Imagine standing (立) a tree (木) up and using an axe (斤) to shape it into something new. The process of cutting fresh wood to create something represents the meaning 'new'.

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

シン
  • 革新かくしん

    innovation / reform

  • 新しん

    new

  • 新興しんこう

    rising / developing / emerging

  • 新婚しんこん

    newlywed / just married

  • 新人しんじん

    newcomer / new member / beginner

  • 新築しんちく

    new building / new construction

  • 新入生しんにゅうせい

    freshman / new student

  • 新幹線しんかんせん

    bullet train / high-speed train

Kun reading

あたら.しい
  • 新たあらた

    new / fresh / novel

  • 新しいあたらしい

    new, fresh, recent

Commonly used words

  • 革新
    かくしん

    innovation / reform

  • 新
    しん

    new

  • 新興
    しんこう

    rising / developing / emerging

  • 新婚
    しんこん

    newlywed / just married

  • 新人
    しんじん

    newcomer / new member / beginner

  • 新築
    しんちく

    new building / new construction

  • 新た
    あらた

    new / fresh / novel

  • 新しい
    あたらしい

    new, fresh, recent

Example sentences

Example 1

この会社は新しい技術で革新した。

Translation

This company innovated with new technology.

Example 2

社会の制度に革新が必要だ。

Translation

Reform is needed in the social system.

Example 3

新しい本を買いました。

Translation

I bought a new book.

Example 4

新学期が始まりました。

Translation

The new school term has started.

Kanji 新: new | Daily Nihongo