kanji Guide 小 小 means “small” or “little” in Japanese. Its shape suggests something small, with a central stroke and two smaller side marks. Reading On’yomi: ショウ (shou) Kun’yomi: ちい-さい (chii-sai), こ- (ko-), お- (o-) Basic Information Kanji 小 Meaning small, little Stroke Count 3 JLPT Level N5 How to Understand This Kanji 小 describes small size, … Read more
女 女 means “woman” or “female” in Japanese. It is a basic kanji for people and also an important radical in many family-related characters. Reading On’yomi: ジョ (jo), ニョ (nyo) Kun’yomi: おんな (onna), め- (me-) Basic Information Kanji 女 Meaning woman, female Stroke Count 3 JLPT Level N5 How to Understand This Kanji 女 appears … Read more
手 手 means “hand” in Japanese. It represents the human hand and is used both literally and metaphorically. Reading On’yomi: シュ (shu) Kun’yomi: て (te), た- (ta-) Basic Information Kanji 手 Meaning hand Stroke Count 4 JLPT Level N5 How to Understand This Kanji 手 can mean the physical hand, a method, a skill, or … Read more
子 子 means “child” in Japanese. Its shape is often explained as a small child with arms outstretched. Reading On’yomi: シ (shi), ス (su) Kun’yomi: こ (ko) Basic Information Kanji 子 Meaning child, kid Stroke Count 3 JLPT Level N5 How to Understand This Kanji 子 appears in words for children, girls, boys, young animals, … Read more
山 山 means “mountain” in Japanese. Its three vertical peaks make it one of the easiest pictographic kanji to recognize. Reading On’yomi: サン (san) Kun’yomi: やま (yama) Basic Information Kanji 山 Meaning mountain Stroke Count 3 JLPT Level N5 How to Understand This Kanji 山 is used for mountains, hills, mountain areas, and many Japanese … Read more
口 口 means “mouth” or “opening” in Japanese. Its square shape represents an open mouth. Reading On’yomi: コウ (kou), ク (ku) Kun’yomi: くち (kuchi) Basic Information Kanji 口 Meaning mouth, opening Stroke Count 3 JLPT Level N5 How to Understand This Kanji 口 can mean the physical mouth, an entrance, an exit, an opening, or … Read more
心 心 represents the heart, mind, and inner feelings. In Japanese, it can refer not only to emotion, but also to thoughts, intention, sincerity, and a person’s inner state. Reading On’yomi: シン (shin) Kun’yomi: こころ (kokoro) Basic Information Kanji 心 Meaning こころ, 精神, 気持ち Stroke Count 4 How to Understand This Kanji 心 is broader … Read more
What does 愛 mean in Japanese? 愛 means love, affection, and care in Japanese. You will find it in common words such as 愛情 (affection), 恋愛 (romantic love), and 愛用 (personal favorite). For learners, 愛 is best studied through real vocabulary. The examples below show how the kanji works across different types of words and … Read more
What does 係 mean in Japanese? 係 means “person in charge, connection” in Japanese. You will often see it in practical words such as 係 (person in charge), 関係 (relation), and 係員 (staff in charge). For learners, the key is to study 係 through real vocabulary. The examples below show how the kanji works in … Read more
What does 君 mean in Japanese? 君 means “you, lord, familiar suffix” in Japanese. You will often see it in practical words such as 君 (you), 君たち (you all), and 君主 (monarch). For learners, the key is to study 君 through real vocabulary. The examples below show how the kanji works in words, sentences, and … Read more