早 – Kanji Meaning, Reading, and Common Words

What does 早 mean in Japanese? 早 means “early, fast” in Japanese. You will often see it in practical words such as 早い (early; fast), 早朝 (early morning), and 早口 (fast talking). For learners, the key is to study 早 through real vocabulary. The examples below show how the kanji works in words, sentences, and … Read more

先 – Kanji Meaning, Reading, and Common Words

What does 先 mean in Japanese? 先 means “ahead, previous, before” in Japanese. You will often see it in practical words such as 先 (ahead; before), 先生 (teacher), and 先週 (last week). For learners, the key is to study 先 through real vocabulary. The examples below show how the kanji works in words, sentences, and … Read more

川 – Kanji Meaning, Reading, and Common Words

川 川 means “river” or “stream” in Japanese. Its three flowing lines represent water moving in parallel streams. Reading On’yomi: セン (sen) Kun’yomi: かわ (kawa) Basic Information Kanji 川 Meaning river, stream Stroke Count 3 JLPT Level N5 How to Understand This Kanji 川 appears as a standalone word and in many Japanese place names … Read more

千 – Kanji Meaning, Reading, and Common Words

What does 千 mean in Japanese? 千 means “thousand” in Japanese. You will often see it in practical words such as 千 (thousand), 千円 (1,000 yen), and 千葉 (Chiba). For learners, the key is to study 千 through real vocabulary. The examples below show how the kanji works in words, sentences, and related kanji. Reading … Read more

赤 – Kanji Meaning, Reading, and Common Words

赤 赤 means “red” in Japanese. It is one of the first color kanji learners usually meet. Reading On’yomi: セキ (seki), シャク (shaku) Kun’yomi: あか-い (aka-i), あか- (aka-) Basic Information Kanji 赤 Meaning red Stroke Count 7 JLPT Level N5 How to Understand This Kanji 赤 is used for the color red, red traffic lights, … Read more

石 – Kanji Meaning, Reading, and Common Words

What does 石 mean in Japanese? 石 means “stone” in Japanese. You will often see it in practical words such as 石 (stone), 石油 (oil; petroleum), and 宝石 (jewel). For learners, the key is to study 石 through real vocabulary. The examples below show how the kanji works in words, sentences, and related kanji. Reading … Read more

夕 – Kanji Meaning, Reading, and Common Words

What does 夕 mean in Japanese? 夕 means “evening” in Japanese. You will often see it in practical words such as 夕方 (evening), 夕日 (evening sun), and 夕食 (evening meal). For learners, the key is to study 夕 through real vocabulary. The examples below show how the kanji works in words, sentences, and related kanji. … Read more

青 – Kanji Meaning, Reading, and Common Words

What does 青 mean in Japanese? 青 means “blue, green” in Japanese. You will often see it in practical words such as 青 (blue; green), 青い (blue; green), and 青空 (blue sky). For learners, the key is to study 青 through real vocabulary. The examples below show how the kanji works in words, sentences, and … Read more

生 – Kanji Meaning, Reading, and Common Words

生 生 means “life,” “birth,” “raw,” or “to live” in Japanese. Its shape is often explained as a young plant sprouting from the ground. Reading On’yomi: セイ (sei), ショウ (shou) Kun’yomi: い-きる (i-kiru), う-まれる (u-mareru), なま- (nama-) Basic Information Kanji 生 Meaning life, birth, raw Stroke Count 5 JLPT Level N5 How to Understand This … Read more

正 – Kanji Meaning, Reading, and Common Words

What does 正 mean in Japanese? 正 means “correct, right, just” in Japanese. You will often see it in practical words such as 正しい (correct), 正月 (New Year), and 正午 (noon). For learners, the key is to study 正 through real vocabulary. The examples below show how the kanji works in words, sentences, and related … Read more