What does the kanji 要 mean?

The kanji 要 means "need, main point, essence, pivot". It is a JLPT N3 character.

How do you write the kanji 要?

Write 要 ("need") by following the correct stroke order. Use the interactive, step-by-step stroke order animation on this page to practise each stroke in sequence and build muscle memory.

What are the readings of 要?

要 has these readings: onyomi (Chinese-derived) よう, kunyomi (native Japanese) い（る）、かなめ.

MichiKanji

要“need” Kanji

JLPT N3

Stroke Order Animation

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Meaning & Readings

Meaning

need, main point, essence, pivot

Onyomi (音読み)

よう

Chinese reading

Kunyomi (訓読み)

い（る）、かなめ

Japanese reading

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politics, government

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要 — "need" Kanji: Stroke Order & Readings (JLPT N3)