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Kotomora

新

new

JLPTN5StatusJōyō · grade 2FrequencyTop 100Strokes13

Readings

On'yomi

  • シン

Kun'yomi

  • あたら.しい
  • あら.た
  • あら-
  • にい-

Nanori

  • あせ
  • あたらし
  • し
  • に

Meaning

新 centers on the idea of newness: something fresh, recent, or not yet used. It applies to objects, states, and beginnings.

Most common words using 新

24 of 714
  • 新しん
    N2

    new; neo-

  • 新しいあたらしい
    N5

    new; novel; fresh; recent; latest; up-to-date; modern

  • 更新こうしん
    N2

    renewal; update; replacement; renovation; breaking (a record)

  • 新聞しんぶん
    N5

    newspaper

  • 新たあらた
    N3

    new; fresh; novel

  • 最新さいしん
    N3

    latest; newest; late-breaking (news)

  • 新作しんさく

    new work; new production; new composition; new creation; new title

  • 新規しんき
    N1

    new; fresh

  • 新潟にいがた

    Niigata (city, prefecture)

  • 新人しんじん
    N1

    newcomer; new figure; new member; recruit; rookie; new talent; new star

  • 新幹線しんかんせん
    N4

    Shinkansen; bullet train

  • 新品しんぴん

    brand-new article; new item

  • 新鮮しんせん
    N3

    fresh

  • 新型しんがた

    new type; new style; new model; new strain (e.g. infectious disease)

  • 維新いしん
    N1

    reformation; revolution; renewal

  • 新着しんちゃく

    newly arrived; newly received

  • 新曲しんきょく

    new (musical) composition; new piece; new song

  • 革新かくしん
    N1

    reform; innovation

  • 新刊しんかん
    N1

    new book; new publication

  • 新築しんちく
    N2

    new building; new construction

  • 新興しんこう
    N1

    rising; developing; emergent; burgeoning; new

  • 新設しんせつ

    establishing; founding; setting up; organizing; establishment

  • 斬新ざんしん

    novel; original; new; innovative

  • 新年しんねん
    N2

    New Year

Explore all words using 新 →

Study

Etymology

新 combines 亲 (originally a tool for cutting wood) and 斤 (axe), suggesting cutting fresh wood, which extended to the idea of newness. The modern form preserves this structure.

Meaning mnemonic

An axe 斤 beside a freshly cut tree 亲: the wood is new, still raw and unused. That fresh-cut feeling is the core of 新.

Reading mnemonic

For シン, imagine a shiny new axe: the gleam of the blade says 'shin' as it catches the light. Shin -> シン, and the axe is brand new.