Learn Japanese Kanji — One Character at a Time
Kanji Guide is a learning resource designed for students at every stage of their Japanese language journey. Whether you are just beginning to learn Japanese kanji or expanding your vocabulary beyond the basics, this site gives you the structured reference you need.
Each kanji page covers the core information that matters most to learners: kanji meaning, and both on’yomi (Chinese-derived readings) and kun’yomi (native Japanese readings). Understanding the difference between on’yomi and kun’yomi is one of the first hurdles in kanji study, and every entry on this site makes that distinction clear.
Beyond readings, each page includes common words that use the character in real Japanese — vocabulary you are likely to encounter in daily conversation, reading, and exams. Alongside those words, you will find example sentences that show each kanji in natural context, so you can see not just what a character means, but how it is actually used.
Where relevant, pages also link to related kanji — characters that share a reading, a radical, or a semantic connection. Following these links is one of the most effective ways to build a web of knowledge rather than memorizing characters in isolation.
Getting Started
If you are new to kanji, the best place to begin is with JLPT N5 kanji — the characters that form the foundation of Japanese literacy. These are tested at the entry level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, and mastering them gives you a strong base for everything that follows.
Featured Kanji
Below are twenty kanji covered on this site, ranging from everyday basics to slightly more expressive characters:
- 力 — power
- 一 — one
- 右 — right
- 雨 — rain
- 円 — yen
- 王 — king
- 音 — sound
- 下 — below
- 火 — fire
- 花 — flower
- 貝 — shell
- 学 — study
- 気 — spirit
- 九 — nine
- 休 — rest
- 玉 — ball
- 金 — gold
- 空 — sky
- 月 — moon
- 犬 — dog
About This Site
Kanji Guide exists to make kanji approachable. The focus is on clear explanations, useful vocabulary, and practical examples — the kind of content that supports real study rather than passive browsing.