JLPT N2 · 8 strokes
Kanji 効: "merit, efficacy, efficiency"
The kanji 効 means "merit, efficacy, efficiency, benefit". It is written with 8 strokes and belongs to JLPT level N2, read コウ in on'yomi and き.く, ききめ, なら.う in kun'yomi.
Stroke order
Strokes are written in the order of the numbers. The order is not decorative: it is what gives the character its balance, and it is also how handwriting search works in Japanese dictionaries.
Readings
On'yomi (Sino-Japanese reading)
コウ
Kun'yomi (native Japanese reading)
き.くききめなら.う
In a kun'yomi reading, the dot separates the kanji from its okurigana: かた.る is read かたる and written 語る. A hyphen marks a bound position, like -び in 日.
At a glance
| Meaning | merit, efficacy, efficiency, benefit |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 8 |
| JLPT level | N2 |
| Taught in Japan | grade 5 |
| Frequency rank | 538 of 2,501 |
Common words with 効
The most frequent words using this kanji, most common first, with furigana readings. Click one to open it in the reader.
- 効果effect; effectiveness; efficacy; result · effects (e.g. sound effects, visual effects, special effects)
- 効くto be effective; to take effect; to be good (for) · to work; to function well
- 有効valid; effective · yuko (judo)
- 効率efficiency
- 効果的effective; successful
- 効率的efficient
- 無効化disabling; invalidation; nullification; override · vitiation
- 無効invalid; void; ineffective; unavailable
- 効力effect; efficacy; validity; potency
- 逆効果opposite effect; adverse effect; backfiring
- 効能effect; effectiveness; efficacy; virtue
- 効き目effect; virtue; efficacy; impression · one's dominant eye
Keep going
Read real Japanese, not lists
A kanji list does not teach you to read. KanjiYome puts furigana and a dictionary on any Japanese text, offline, and turns the words you meet into review cards.