What Does 代 Mean in Japanese? 代 can refer to a generation, an era, a replacement, or a payment. It appears in words such as 時代, 世代, 代表, 代金, and 交代, so its meaning depends strongly on the compound. Reading On’yomi: ダイ (dai), タイ (tai) Kun’yomi: か-わる (ka-waru), か-える (ka-eru), よ (yo), しろ (shiro) Basic … Read more
What Does 世 Mean in Japanese? 世 can mean the world, society, an age, or a generation. It appears in high-frequency words such as 世界, 世代, 世紀, and 世話. The kun’yomi よ is seen in expressions such as この世. Reading On’yomi: セイ (sei), セ (se) Kun’yomi: よ (yo) Basic Information Kanji 世 Meaning world, generation … Read more
What Does 転 Mean in Japanese? 転 expresses turning, rolling, falling, or changing from one state or place to another. It appears in everyday words such as 運転, 自転車, 転職, and 転校. Reading On’yomi: テン (ten) Kun’yomi: ころ-がる (koro-garu), ころ-げる (koro-geru), ころ-がす (koro-gasu), ころ-ぶ (koro-bu) Basic Information Kanji 転 Meaning to turn, roll, change Stroke … Read more
What Does 行 Mean in Japanese? 行 commonly means to go or to carry out an action. The verbs 行く and 行う use different kun’yomi, while コウ and ギョウ appear in compounds such as 旅行, 銀行, and 行事. Reading On’yomi: コウ (kou), ギョウ (gyou), アン (an) Kun’yomi: い-く (i-ku), ゆ-く (yu-ku), おこな-う (okona-u) Basic Information … Read more
What Does 来 Mean in Japanese? 来 means to come and also points toward a future time. The verb 来る is extremely common, while the on’yomi ライ appears in words such as 来週, 来年, and 未来. Reading On’yomi: ライ (rai) Kun’yomi: く-る (ku-ru), きた-る (kita-ru), きた-す (kita-su) Basic Information Kanji 来 Meaning to come Stroke … Read more
What Does 写 Mean in Japanese? 写 means to copy, photograph, or be shown in an image. The verbs 写す and 写る describe taking or appearing in a picture, and the on’yomi シャ appears in words such as 写真 and 複写. Reading On’yomi: シャ (sha) Kun’yomi: うつ-す (utsu-su), うつ-る (utsu-ru) Basic Information Kanji 写 Meaning … Read more
What Does 画 Mean in Japanese? 画 is used in words about pictures, images, plans, screens, and kanji strokes. The reading ガ appears in 映画 and 画像, while カク appears in 画数. It rarely stands alone in everyday Japanese. Reading On’yomi: ガ (ga), カク (kaku) Kun’yomi: — Basic Information Kanji 画 Meaning picture, stroke Stroke … Read more
What Does 図 Mean in Japanese? 図 can mean a diagram, map, plan, or intention. The reading ズ appears in words such as 地図 and 図表, while the verb 図る means to plan, attempt, or work toward something. Reading On’yomi: ズ (zu), ト (to) Kun’yomi: はか-る (haka-ru) Basic Information Kanji 図 Meaning diagram, map, plan … Read more
What Does 友 Mean in Japanese? 友 means friend. The kun’yomi とも appears when the kanji stands alone, while ユウ is used in compounds such as 友人, 親友, and 友情. It is a central kanji for talking about relationships. Reading On’yomi: ユウ (yuu) Kun’yomi: とも (tomo) Basic Information Kanji 友 Meaning friend Stroke Count 4 … Read more
What Does 自 Mean in Japanese? 自 expresses the idea of self or oneself. It appears in high-frequency words such as 自分, 自由, 自動, and 自転車. The on’yomi ジ is especially common in everyday compounds. Reading On’yomi: ジ (ji), シ (shi) Kun’yomi: みずか-ら (mizuka-ra) Basic Information Kanji 自 Meaning self, oneself Stroke Count 6 JLPT … Read more