kanji Guide What does 乗 mean in Japanese? 乗 is the kanji for boarding vehicles — trains, buses, taxis, bicycles. On platform signs, transfer guides, and ticket machines you will see 乗 everywhere the moment you start navigating Japan. The core verb is 乗る (noru, to board/ride). It takes particle に to mark the vehicle: 電車に乗る, バスに乗る. … Read more
What does 風 mean in Japanese? 風 means wind in Japanese, and it also means style. It is the kanji in 台風 (taifuu, typhoon) and 和風 (wafuu, Japanese style), and in the everyday word 風 (kaze, wind) itself. 風 has two main readings. Read it as かぜ (kaze) when it stands alone meaning ‘wind,’ and … Read more
What does 週 mean in Japanese? 週 means week in Japanese. It is the kanji behind 今週 (this week), 来週 (next week), and 先週 (last week), the time words you will use in almost every plan you make. 週 has one main reading: シュウ (shuu). Unlike most kanji in this guide, it has no common … Read more
What does 冬 mean in Japanese? 冬 means winter in Japanese. It completes the four seasons after 春, 夏, and 秋, and gives learners practical words such as 冬休み (fuyuyasumi, winter break). 冬 has two main readings. Read it as ふゆ (fuyu) when it stands alone or in everyday words such as 冬休み and 真冬 … Read more
What does 秋 mean in Japanese? 秋 means autumn or fall in Japanese. It is the season of colored leaves, harvest, and comfortable weather, celebrated in phrases like 食欲の秋 (autumn, the season of appetite). 秋 has two main readings. Read it as あき (aki) when it stands alone or in words such as 秋晴れ (akibare, … Read more
What does 夏 mean in Japanese? 夏 means summer in Japanese. It is the season of festivals and fireworks, and it gives learners one of their favorite words: 夏休み (natsuyasumi, summer vacation). 夏 has two main readings. Read it as なつ (natsu) when it stands alone or in everyday words such as 夏休み and 夏祭り … Read more
What does 春 mean in Japanese? 春 means spring in Japanese. It is the season of cherry blossoms and new beginnings: the school year and the fiscal year both start in spring, making 春 one of the most culturally important season words. 春 has two main readings. Read it as はる (haru) when it stands … Read more
What does 夜 mean in Japanese? 夜 means night in Japanese. It is the kanji in 今夜 (konya, tonight) and 夜中 (yonaka, the middle of the night), and it pairs with 朝 (morning) and 昼 (daytime) to complete the day. 夜 has two main readings. Read it as よる (yoru) when it stands alone, and … Read more
What does 昼 mean in Japanese? 昼 means noon or daytime in Japanese. It is the kanji in 昼ご飯 (hirugohan, lunch) and 昼休み (hiruyasumi, lunch break), words that structure every school and work day in Japan. 昼 has two main readings. Read it as ひる (hiru) in everyday words such as 昼ご飯 and 昼寝 (hirune, … Read more
What does 朝 mean in Japanese? 朝 means morning in Japanese. You will meet it every day in words such as 朝ご飯 (asagohan, breakfast), 毎朝 (maiasa, every morning), and 今朝 (kesa, this morning). 朝 has two main readings. Read it as あさ (asa) when it stands alone or in everyday words such as 朝ご飯, and … Read more