What does 毎 mean in Japanese?
毎 means ‘every’ and attaches to time words to say something happens each day, week, or year.
It has only one reading you need, the on’yomi マイ, and it is highly regular: 毎日 (まいにち, every day), 毎週 (まいしゅう, every week), 毎月 (まいつき, every month), 毎年 (まいとし, every year).
Reading
On’yomi: マイ (mai)
Kun’yomi: —
Basic Information
| Kanji | 毎 |
|---|---|
| Meaning | every |
| Stroke Count | 6 |
| JLPT Level | N4 |
How to Understand This Kanji
毎 expresses habitual repetition, so it pairs naturally with the present tense and adverbs of routine. It is neutral in register and common in both speech and writing. Unlike English ‘every’, 毎 does not stand alone; it must be attached to another word such as 日, 週, 朝, or 回.
Common Words
- 毎日（まいにち / mainichi） — every day
- 毎週（まいしゅう / maishuu） — every week
- 毎月（まいつき / maitsuki） — every month
- 毎年（まいとし / maitoshi） — every year
- 毎朝（まいあさ / maiasa） — every morning
- 毎回（まいかい / maikai） — every time
Example Sentences
-
毎日、日本語を勉強します。
まいにち、にほんごをべんきょうします。 / Mainichi, nihongo o benkyou shimasu.
I study Japanese every day.
-
毎週金曜日にテニスをします。
まいしゅうきんようびにテニスをします。 / Maishuu kinyoubi ni tenisu o shimasu.
I play tennis every Friday.
-
毎朝コーヒーを飲みます。
まいあさコーヒーをのみます。 / Maiasa koohii o nomimasu.
I drink coffee every morning.
When Learners Usually See This Kanji
毎 is one of the most regular N4 kanji: learn マイ once and the whole family follows (毎日, 毎週, 毎朝, 毎回). Two readings shift slightly: 毎月 is usually まいつき and 毎年 is usually まいとし in speech (though まいげつ and まいねん exist in formal contexts). Do not confuse 毎 with 母 (mother); 毎 has an extra top stroke and a different lower shape.
Summary
毎 means ‘every’ and, read マイ, builds routine words like 毎日 and 毎週.