What does 誠 mean in Japanese? 誠 means sincerity, honesty, and integrity in Japanese. You will find it in words such as 誠実 (sincere, honest), 誠意 (sincerity, good faith), and 忠誠 (loyalty, fidelity). For learners, 誠 is best understood as a quality of the heart — not just factual truth, but the sincere and honest … Read more
What does 勇 mean in Japanese? 勇 means courage, bravery, and heroic spirit in Japanese. You will find it in everyday words such as 勇気 (courage), 勇者 (hero, brave person), and 勇敢 (brave, courageous). For learners, 勇 is best understood through 勇気 — one of the most common and useful compounds. The examples below show … Read more
力 力 represents power, strength, and physical force. Its shape depicts a flexed arm muscle, conveying the idea of muscular effort and capability. Reading On’yomi: リョク (ryoku), リキ (riki) Kun’yomi: ちから (chikara) Basic Information Kanji 力 Meaning power, strength, force Stroke Count 2 JLPT Level N5 How to Understand This Kanji 力 can refer to … Read more
一 一 is the simplest kanji, meaning ‘one.’ It is a single horizontal stroke representing the number one, and is the foundation of the Japanese number system. Reading On’yomi: イチ (ichi), イツ (itsu) Kun’yomi: ひと- (hito-) Basic Information Kanji 一 Meaning one Stroke Count 1 JLPT Level N5 How to Understand This Kanji While 一 … Read more
右 右 means ‘right’ as in the right-hand side or direction. It combines the element for hand with the concept of the right side. Reading On’yomi: ウ (u), ユウ (yuu) Kun’yomi: みぎ (migi) Basic Information Kanji 右 Meaning right Stroke Count 5 JLPT Level N5 How to Understand This Kanji 右 is used for physical … Read more
下 下 means ‘below,’ ‘under,’ or ‘down.’ It shows a horizontal line with a short stroke pointing downward, visually indicating something beneath a surface. Reading On’yomi: カ (ka), ゲ (ge) Kun’yomi: した (shita), しも (shimo), くだ-る (kuda-ru), お-りる (o-riru) Basic Information Kanji 下 Meaning below, down, under Stroke Count 3 JLPT Level N5 How to … Read more
王 王 means ‘king’ or ‘ruler.’ Its three horizontal strokes connected by a vertical line represent a person who stands between heaven, humanity, and earth — the three realms a king governs. Reading On’yomi: オウ (ou) Kun’yomi: — Basic Information Kanji 王 Meaning king Stroke Count 4 JLPT Level N5 How to Understand This Kanji … Read more
音 音 means ‘sound’ or ‘noise.’ It places 立 (stand) above 日 (sun/day), evoking the idea of a voice or sound that stands up and projects outward from its source. Reading On’yomi: オン (on), イン (in) Kun’yomi: おと (oto), ね (ne) Basic Information Kanji 音 Meaning sound, noise Stroke Count 9 JLPT Level N5 How … Read more
円 円 means ‘circle’ and is also the kanji for the Japanese currency, the yen (¥). Its shape suggests a rounded, enclosed form. Reading On’yomi: エン (en) Kun’yomi: まる-い (maru-i) Basic Information Kanji 円 Meaning yen, circle, round Stroke Count 4 JLPT Level N5 How to Understand This Kanji While 円 primarily appears in money … Read more
雨 雨 represents rain. Its shape depicts falling raindrops beneath a cloud, making it one of the most visually descriptive kanji. Reading On’yomi: ウ (u) Kun’yomi: あめ (ame), あま- (ama-) Basic Information Kanji 雨 Meaning rain Stroke Count 8 JLPT Level N5 How to Understand This Kanji 雨 refers specifically to rain but also serves … Read more