JLPT N3 · Japanese kanji

最

最 — utmost

Reading
サイ・シュ・もっと.も・つま
Meaning
utmost; most; extreme
JLPT level
N3
Language
Japanese

About this kanji

最 is a japanese kanji character commonly studied at the JLPT N3 level. Its primary reading is サイ・シュ・もっと.も・つま and it means utmost; most; extreme. To master it, see it in real Japanese content — import an article or YouTube video into InputDojo and every occurrence becomes a one-tap lookup.

最 appears in everyday japanese words such as 最善 (the very best), 最早 (already) and 最も (most).

Japanese words containing 最

Frequently asked questions

What does 最 mean in Japanese?

最 means utmost; most; extreme in Japanese. It is one of the JLPT N3 kanji every learner meets at that level.

How is 最 read?

最 is read サイ・シュ・もっと.も・つま. Reading it inside real words — 最善 and 最早 and more — is the fastest way to remember it.

What level is 最 — is it JLPT N3?

Yes. 最 is on the official JLPT N3 kanji list, so it can appear in that exam's reading and vocabulary sections.

How do you use 最 in a word?

A common word containing 最 is 最善 (さいぜん) — "the very best". More examples are listed below, each with a one-tap dictionary entry.

How do I learn 最 effectively?

Read it in context. Import any Japanese article or video into InputDojo and every occurrence of 最 becomes a one-tap lookup with SRS flashcards, so you meet it in real sentences instead of a list.

More JLPT N3 kanji

Learn every JLPT kanji in context

InputDojo gives you the full JLPT N5–N1 kanji list — plus one-tap lookups in any real Japanese content. Free to start.

Start free