五
FIVE
Mnemonic
This kanji can look confusing at first, but here’s a trick:
Imagine the Arabic numeral 5 drawn right on top of it. The shape isn’t exact — the “bottom” of the 5 is closed here instead of open — but if you allow yourself to see it, the connection is clear: this kanji means FIVE.
Five in focus
The kanji 五 marks the month of May (五月), with its Golden Week holidays and the famous 子どもの日 (Children’s Day), which falls on May 5 (五月五日). 五 can also represent prestige and tradition, as in 五山, the “Five Great Temples” of Kyoto and Kamakura.
Example Vocabulary
-
五人（ごにん） – five people
Click to recall: 人 = -
五月（ごがつ） – May (fifth month)
Click to recall: 月 = -
五日（いつか） – the 5th day of the month / five days
Click to recall: 日 = -
五つ子（いつつご） – quintuplets
Click to recall: 子 =
Example Sentences
- 五人のともだちとりょこうしました。– I traveled with five friends.
- きょうは五日です。– Today is the fifth day of the month.