kanji Guide What does 古 mean in Japanese? 古 means old in Japanese. It describes things that have aged, such as an old book, an old watch, or an old building, and it is the natural opposite of 新 (new). Note that 古 is used for things, not for people’s age. 古 has two main readings. Read … Read more
What does 新 mean in Japanese? 新 means new in Japanese. You will see it everywhere: in 新しい (atarashii, new), one of the first adjectives learners study, and in everyday compounds such as 新聞 (shinbun, newspaper) and 新年 (shinnen, the new year). 新 has two main readings. Read it as あたらしい (atarashii) in the adjective … Read more
体 体 means body, referring to the physical form of a person or living thing. It is used in words about physical health, fitness, and the structure of the human body. Reading On’yomi: タイ (tai), テイ (tei) Kun’yomi: からだ (karada) Basic Information Kanji 体 Meaning body, physical Stroke Count 7 JLPT Level N4 How to … Read more
時 時 means time, an hour, or a specific moment. It is used in many essential words for telling time, describing periods, and expressing when something happens. Reading On’yomi: ジ (ji) Kun’yomi: とき (toki) Basic Information Kanji 時 Meaning time, hour, when Stroke Count 10 JLPT Level N4 How to Understand This Kanji 時 refers … Read more
食 食 means to eat, food, or a meal. It appears in many everyday words related to eating, dining, and food culture. Reading On’yomi: ショク (shoku), ジキ (jiki) Kun’yomi: た-べる (ta-beru), く-う (ku-u) Basic Information Kanji 食 Meaning eat, food, meal Stroke Count 9 JLPT Level N4 How to Understand This Kanji 食 focuses on … Read more
話 話 means to speak, to talk, or a story or conversation. It is used both as a verb meaning to speak and as a noun referring to a talk, story, or topic. Reading On’yomi: ワ (wa) Kun’yomi: はな-す (hana-su), はなし (hanashi) Basic Information Kanji 話 Meaning talk, speak, story, conversation Stroke Count 13 JLPT … Read more
書 書 means to write, writing, or a document. It covers the physical act of writing as well as the result, such as a book, document, or piece of calligraphy. Reading On’yomi: ショ (sho) Kun’yomi: か-く (ka-ku) Basic Information Kanji 書 Meaning write, writing, document Stroke Count 10 JLPT Level N4 How to Understand This … Read more
考 考 means to think, to consider, or to reflect on something. It is one of the most common kanji for mental activity in everyday Japanese. Reading On’yomi: コウ (kou) Kun’yomi: かんが-える (kanga-eru) Basic Information Kanji 考 Meaning think, consider, reflect Stroke Count 6 JLPT Level N4 How to Understand This Kanji 考 focuses on … Read more
知 知 means to know, to understand, or knowledge. It is used in everyday words about knowing facts, being informed, and having knowledge. Reading On’yomi: チ (chi) Kun’yomi: し-る (shi-ru) Basic Information Kanji 知 Meaning know, knowledge, wisdom Stroke Count 8 JLPT Level N4 How to Understand This Kanji 知 focuses on knowing or being … Read more
教 教 means to teach, to instruct, or education. It appears in many everyday words related to learning, school, teachers, and instruction. Reading On’yomi: キョウ (kyou) Kun’yomi: おし-える (oshi-eru), おそ-わる (oso-waru) Basic Information Kanji 教 Meaning teach, education, doctrine Stroke Count 11 JLPT Level N4 How to Understand This Kanji 教 is mainly about passing … Read more