Onyomi: キュウ, ク · Kunyomi: ここの, ここの.つ · Meanings: nine
Kanji for nine
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The kanji 九 has ancient roots in the idea of “almost complete.” In early scripts, it showed a bent or curved line suggesting something nearing its end — just before ten. That’s why 九 came to represent the number nine, the final step before completion. It carries the feeling of being close to the goal, almost at the finish, holding the energy of anticipation and achievement.
A curved line showing a near end — 九 means nine, the number just before full completion.
Think of climbing nine steps toward the top — 九 is that last push before you reach the perfect ten.
| Word | Reading | Meaning | Meta |
|---|---|---|---|
| 九 | きゅう | nine, 9 | common JLPT-N3 Numeric |
| 九 | チュー | nine | Numeric |
| 九つ | ここのつ | nine | common JLPT-N5 Numeric |
| ９日 | ここのか | 9th day of the month | common JLPT-N5 Noun |
| 九州 | きゅうしゅう | Kyūshū (southernmost of the four main islands of Japan) | common Noun |
| ９月 | くがつ | September | common Noun |
| 九谷焼 | くたにやき | Kutani ware (style of Japanese porcelain) | Noun |
| 九生 | きゅうしょう | nine lives (of a cat) | Noun |
| 九柱戯 | きゅうちゅうぎ | nine pins, skittles | Noun |
| 九重 | ここのえ | ninefold | common Noun |