What does 速 mean in Japanese? 速 means fast or speed. The most important learning point for this kanji is the homophone 早い (hayai), which also means fast. Both are read はやい, but 速い refers to speed of motion while 早い refers to early in time. Mixing these up is one of the most common … Read more
What does 向 mean in Japanese? 向 carries the idea of facing or pointing toward something. The most immediately useful form for learners is 向こう (mukou, over there / the other side), which is one of the first direction words you will need when asking or receiving directions in Japan. 向 also builds the suffix … Read more
What does 泊 mean in Japanese? 泊 means staying overnight. The kanji carries the water radical 氵 on the left — originally evoking a boat anchored for the night. For learners, the most important things to know are the verb 泊まる (tomaru, to stay overnight) and the counter 〜泊 (haku), which counts nights in accommodation. … Read more
What does 降 mean in Japanese? 降 has two kun’yomi readings that learners often confuse because they serve completely different purposes. お-りる means to get off or step down from a vehicle or elevated surface. ふ-る means precipitation falls from the sky. One reading is for transit; the other is for weather. As the counterpart … 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 JLPT Level N4 How to Understand This Kanji … Read more
What does 午 mean in Japanese? 午 means noon, and for a learner it lives almost entirely inside two words: 午前 and 午後. Read ゴ, it splits the day at midday: 午前 (ごぜん) is the morning / a.m. side and 午後 (ごご) is the afternoon / p.m. side, with 正午 (しょうご) marking noon itself. Reading … 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 色 Mean in Japanese? 色 means color and can also describe appearance or complexion. The kun’yomi いろ is common by itself, while ショク and シキ appear in compounds such as 特色 and 景色. Reading On’yomi: ショク (shoku), シキ (shiki) Kun’yomi: いろ (iro) Basic Information Kanji 色 Meaning color Stroke Count 6 JLPT Level … Read more
What Does 洋 Mean in Japanese? 洋 refers to the ocean or to things associated with the West. It appears in words such as 洋服, 洋食, 西洋, and 太平洋. In modern vocabulary, it often contrasts with Japanese-style things. Reading On’yomi: ヨウ (you) Kun’yomi: — Basic Information Kanji 洋 Meaning ocean, Western-style Stroke Count 9 JLPT … Read more
What Does 服 Mean in Japanese? 服 most often means clothes or clothing. It appears in words such as 洋服, 制服, 私服, and 服装. In 克服, it contributes to a different meaning: overcoming a difficulty. Reading On’yomi: フク (fuku) Kun’yomi: — Basic Information Kanji 服 Meaning clothes Stroke Count 8 JLPT Level N4 How to … Read more