What does 親 mean in Japanese? 親 has two connected meanings: parent, and close or intimate. The kun’yomi おや (oya) is the everyday word for a parent, and 両親 (ryoushin) means both parents. The on’yomi シン carries the closeness sense: 親切 (shinsetsu, kind), 親友 (shinyuu, close friend), 親しい (shitashii, close, familiar). The link is natural: … Read more
What does 族 mean in Japanese? 族 means a family, tribe, or group of people bound together. Its number-one word is 家族 (kazoku, family), which pairs 族 with 家 (house) to name the people you live with. 族 is read ゾク in every common word and has no kun’yomi. Beyond family it names larger groups: … Read more
What does 家 mean in Japanese? 家 means house, home, or family. It is the anchor of family vocabulary: 家族 (kazoku, family) is one of the first words every learner needs, and it is built on this kanji. 家 has several readings for different senses. いえ (ie) and うち (uchi) mean home as a place; … Read more
What does 作 mean in Japanese? 作 means to make or create. Its kun’yomi verb 作る (tsukuru) is one of the most versatile verbs in Japanese: you 作る meals, plans, friends, and websites alike. The main on’yomi サク appears in 作文 (sakubun, composition), 作品 (sakuhin, a creative work), and 作家 (sakka, writer). A second on’yomi … Read more
What does 堂 mean in Japanese? 堂 means a hall: a large building or room where people gather. For learners its essential word is 食堂 (shokudou), the cafeteria or casual dining hall you will find in every school, company, and station neighborhood. 堂 is read ドウ in every common word and has no kun’yomi. It … Read more
What does 店 mean in Japanese? 店 means shop or store. The kun’yomi みせ (mise) is the everyday word: あの店 (that shop), 店を開ける (to open the shop). The on’yomi テン builds the shop-type words: 書店 (shoten, bookstore), 喫茶店 (kissaten, cafe), and 売店 (baiten, kiosk), plus the people words 店員 (ten’in, shop clerk) and 店長 (tenchou, … Read more
What does 品 mean in Japanese? 品 means goods, an article, or quality. It is the kanji of shopping and products: 品物 (shinamono, goods), 食品 (shokuhin, food products), and 商品 (shouhin, merchandise) label the things stores sell. The kun’yomi しな appears in 品物 and in 品切れ (shinagire, sold out). The on’yomi ヒン builds the product … Read more
What does 料 mean in Japanese? 料 carries two ideas: materials to work with, and a fee you pay. Its number-one word is 料理 (ryouri, cooking / a dish), one of the most useful words in the entire N4 vocabulary. 料 is read リョウ in every common word and has no kun’yomi. On the materials … Read more
What does 味 mean in Japanese? 味 means taste or flavor. The kun’yomi あじ (aji) is the word you use at the table: 味がいい (it tastes good), 味がうすい (the flavor is weak). The on’yomi ミ powers three N4 essentials that go far beyond food: 意味 (imi, meaning), 趣味 (shumi, hobby), and 興味 (kyoumi, interest). The … Read more
What does 茶 mean in Japanese? 茶 means tea. Its key word is お茶 (ocha), which covers green tea specifically and tea or a tea break in general: お茶しませんか is an invitation to chat over a drink, not necessarily tea. The usual reading is チャ, as in 茶色 (chairo, brown) and 紅茶 (koucha, black tea). … Read more
