最
最·most
- On-yomi
- サイ
- Kun-yomi
- もっとも
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 最近 | さいきん | recently, lately |
| 最初 | さいしょ | the first, the beginning |
| 最後 | さいご | the last, the end |
| 最高 | さいこう | the highest, the best |
Example sentences
最近、よく雨が降りますね。
さいきん、よくあめがふりますね。
It's been raining a lot lately, hasn't it?
最初は難しかったですが、今は楽しいです。
さいしょはむずかしかったですが、いまはたのしいです。
It was hard at first, but now it's fun.
これは今までで最高の映画です。
これはいままででさいこうのえいがです。
This is the best movie I've ever seen.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- 最近 covers 'these days' as well as 'the other day' — the tense of the verb tells you which
- 最後 (last) and 最高 (best) both start さい; do not mix them up
Memory aid
Picture it
A flat lid over 取 (take) — of everything on offer, you take the very top one.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 2 of 5
What does the kanji 最 mean?