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
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
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
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