能 means “ability, talent”

のう · nou

Also: skill, capacity

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

よく, あたう

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

ノウ

JLPT N3 · Taught in grade 5 · 10 strokes

The story

能 began as a drawing of a bear, an animal prized for its strength, and was borrowed for "ability" (the bear later got 熊). 能力 is ability, 可能 is possible, and 能 on its own is Noh, Japan's slow, masked theater.

Used in 可能 (kanou, possible), 能力 (nouryoku, ability), and 才能 (sainou, talent)

More from Thinking & Knowing

• 疑 doubt
• 術 technique
• 想 idea
• 念 thought
• 察 observe
• 識 know
• 覚 remember
• 忘 forget
• 慣 get used to
• 才 talent
• 実 reality
• 解 solve

Learn 能 and more kanji free on Fuji Learning · All kanji

Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.