kanji Guide

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

What does 高 mean in Japanese? 高 is one of the most versatile adjectives in Japanese, covering physical height, price, level, and quality all under a single character. Whether you are describing a tall building, an expensive meal, a high speed, or a school grade level, 高 carries the core idea of something elevated above … Read more

What does 弱 mean in Japanese? 弱 means weak, frail, or vulnerable in Japanese. You will find it in everyday words such as 弱い (weak), 弱点 (weak point), and 弱気 (timid; bearish), and in contexts where something or someone lacks strength, confidence, or resilience. For learners, 弱 is best understood alongside its opposite: 強 (strong). … Read more

What does 強 mean in Japanese? 強 means strong, powerful, or intense in Japanese. You will encounter it constantly — in the everyday adjective 強い (strong), in the essential word 勉強する (to study), and in compounds like 強力 (powerful) and 強調 (emphasis). For learners, the most important thing to notice early is that 強 appears … Read more

What does 誠 mean in Japanese? 誠 means sincerity, honesty, and integrity in Japanese. You will find it in words such as 誠実 (sincere, honest), 誠意 (sincerity, good faith), and 忠誠 (loyalty, fidelity). For learners, 誠 is best understood as a quality of the heart — not just factual truth, but the sincere and honest … Read more

What does 勇 mean in Japanese? 勇 means courage, bravery, and heroic spirit in Japanese. You will find it in everyday words such as 勇気 (courage), 勇者 (hero, brave person), and 勇敢 (brave, courageous). For learners, 勇 is best understood through 勇気 — one of the most common and useful compounds. The examples below show … Read more

力 力 represents power, strength, and physical force. Its shape depicts a flexed arm muscle, conveying the idea of muscular effort and capability. Reading On’yomi: リョク (ryoku), リキ (riki) Kun’yomi: ちから (chikara) Basic Information Kanji 力 Meaning power, strength, force Stroke Count 2 JLPT Level N5 How to Understand This Kanji 力 can refer to … Read more

一 一 is the simplest kanji, meaning ‘one.’ It is a single horizontal stroke representing the number one, and is the foundation of the Japanese number system. Reading On’yomi: イチ (ichi), イツ (itsu) Kun’yomi: ひと- (hito-) Basic Information Kanji 一 Meaning one Stroke Count 1 JLPT Level N5 How to Understand This Kanji While 一 … Read more

右 右 means ‘right’ as in the right-hand side or direction. It combines the element for hand with the concept of the right side. Reading On’yomi: ウ (u), ユウ (yuu) Kun’yomi: みぎ (migi) Basic Information Kanji 右 Meaning right Stroke Count 5 JLPT Level N5 How to Understand This Kanji 右 is used for physical … Read more

下 下 means ‘below,’ ‘under,’ or ‘down.’ It shows a horizontal line with a short stroke pointing downward, visually indicating something beneath a surface. Reading On’yomi: カ (ka), ゲ (ge) Kun’yomi: した (shita), しも (shimo), くだ-る (kuda-ru), お-りる (o-riru) Basic Information Kanji 下 Meaning below, down, under Stroke Count 3 JLPT Level N5 How to … Read more