Meaning
The kanji 五 (go) denotes the number 'five'. As a fundamental kanji, it signifies a basic quantity. Across various cultures, the number five often carries deep meaning, symbolizing balance, completeness, or even elemental forces, such as the five elements in traditional Chinese philosophy.
Interestingly, 五 is visually formed with just four strokes, which might initially seem surprising for the number five. Its origins are believed to stem from a pictograph of five horizontal tally marks that transformed into its current stylized shape over time. Another theory suggests it illustrates two crossed lines, joined by a central vertical stroke, hinting at a sense of balance or a group of five. The kanji's simple and symmetrical design makes it a clear representation of the number.
Grasping 五 is essential for Japanese learners. It appears in numerous daily situations, from counting items and telling time to more intricate numerical phrases. This kanji is taught in the first grade of Japanese elementary school and is included in the JLPT N5 vocabulary, highlighting its frequent use and foundational importance.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary On'yomi reading for 五 is ゴ (go). This reading originates from Chinese and is generally used when 五 appears within compound words, particularly alongside other kanji of Chinese origin. You'll also encounter it when counting in a more formal or general context. It's very common in numerical expressions, telling time, and specific set phrases.
- 五月 (gogatsu) — May (the fifth month of the year)
- 五時 (goji) — five o'clock
- 五分 (gofun) — five minutes
- 五人 (gonin) — five people
- 五円 (goen) — five yen
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The main Kun'yomi readings for 五 are いつ (itsu) and いつ.つ (itsu.tsu). These readings come into play when the kanji appears by itself or with native Japanese grammatical endings (okurigana). You'll often see いつ in words like 五日, which means the fifth day of the month or a period of five days. The reading いつ.つ is specifically paired with the native Japanese counter つ (tsu) for counting five general items or things.
- 五つ (itsutsu) — five items (general counter for things without specific counters)
- 五日 (itsuka) — fifth day of the month; five days
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 五 shows up in many common Japanese words and compounds, underscoring its fundamental role as a number. The examples below demonstrate how 五 combines with other kanji to create meanings related to time, quantity, groups, and even more abstract ideas.
Time and Dates
- 五月 (gogatsu) — May
- 五時 (goji) — five o'clock
- 五分 (gofun) — five minutes
- 五日 (itsuka) — the fifth day of the month; five days
- 五年間 (gonenkan) — a period of five years
Counting and Quantity
- 五つ (itsutsu) — five items (general counter)
- 五人 (gonin) — five people
- 五円 (goen) — five Japanese Yen
- 五番 (goban) — number five; fifth in order
- 五本 (gohon) — five cylindrical objects (e.g., pencils, bottles)
Concepts and Groups
- 五味 (gomi) — the five flavors (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, umami)
- 五体 (gotai) — the whole body (lit. five parts: head, neck, torso, and limbs)
- 五大 (godai) — the five great elements (earth, water, fire, wind, void in Buddhist philosophy)
- 五感 (gokan) — the five senses
- 五大陸 (gotairiku) — the five continents
- 五つ子 (itsutsugo) — quintuplets
Example Sentences
私の家族は五人です。
Watashi no kazoku wa gonin desu.
My family has five members.
今日は五月五日です。
Kyou wa gogatsu itsuka desu.
Today is May fifth.
学校は毎日五時に終わります。
Gakkou wa mainichi goji ni owarimasu.
School finishes at five o'clock every day.
机の上に本が五冊あります。
Tsukue no ue ni hon ga gosatsu arimasu.
There are five books on the desk.
彼は五年間、日本に住んでいました。
Kare wa gonenkan, Nihon ni sunde imashita.
He lived in Japan for five years.
私の部屋には窓が五つあります。
Watashi no heya ni wa mado ga itsutsu arimasu.
There are five windows in my room.
五感を使って、世界を感じましょう。
Gokan o tsukatte, sekai o kanjimashou.
Let's use our five senses to feel the world.
五大陸すべてを旅するのが私の夢です。
Gotairiku subete o tabi suru no ga watashi no yume desu.
It is my dream to travel all five continents.
彼は五歳のときにピアノを始めました。
Kare wa gosai no toki ni piano o hajimemashita.
He started playing the piano when he was five years old.
Related Kanji
- 気 — Spirit, Energy, Air (Kanji N5)
- 百 — Hundred (Kanji N5)
- 土 — Earth, Soil, Ground (Kanji N5)
- 人 — Person (Kanji N5)
- 大 — Big, Large (Kanji N5)
- 間 — Interval, Space, Between (Kanji N5)
Memory Tip
To help remember the kanji 五 (five), try visualizing it as a hand with five fingers. Envision the top and bottom horizontal strokes forming the palm and the base of the fingers. The two inner strokes can represent two fingers, while the vertical stroke crossing them brings them together, completing the group of five.
Another helpful way to think of it is as a stylized tally mark for five. Here, the horizontal lines signify individual counts, and the vertical line joins them. The kanji's inherent balance and symmetry naturally suggest a complete set, mirroring how the number five often conveys wholeness in various counting systems.