水 水 means “water” in Japanese. The character originally represents flowing water, making it one of the clearest nature-related kanji. Reading On’yomi: スイ (sui) Kun’yomi: みず (mizu) Basic Information Kanji 水 Meaning water Stroke Count 4 JLPT Level N5 How to Understand This Kanji 水 is used for water itself, for Wednesday in 水曜日, and … Read more
人 人 means “person” or “people” in Japanese. Its simple two-stroke shape is one of the most fundamental kanji forms. Reading On’yomi: ジン (jin), ニン (nin) Kun’yomi: ひと (hito) Basic Information Kanji 人 Meaning person, people Stroke Count 2 JLPT Level N5 How to Understand This Kanji 人 can mean a person, people in general, … Read more
What does 森 mean in Japanese? 森 means “forest” in Japanese. You will often see it in practical words such as 森 (forest), 森林 (forest; woodland), and 森の中 (inside the forest). For learners, the key is to study 森 through real vocabulary. The examples below show how the kanji works in words, sentences, and related … Read more
What does 上 mean in Japanese? 上 means “above, up” in Japanese. You will often see it in practical words such as 上 (above; top), 上手 (skilled), and 年上 (older). For learners, the key is to study 上 through real vocabulary. The examples below show how the kanji works in words, sentences, and related kanji. … Read more
小 小 means “small” or “little” in Japanese. Its shape suggests something small, with a central stroke and two smaller side marks. Reading On’yomi: ショウ (shou) Kun’yomi: ちい-さい (chii-sai), こ- (ko-), お- (o-) Basic Information Kanji 小 Meaning small, little Stroke Count 3 JLPT Level N5 How to Understand This Kanji 小 describes small size, … Read more
女 女 means “woman” or “female” in Japanese. It is a basic kanji for people and also an important radical in many family-related characters. Reading On’yomi: ジョ (jo), ニョ (nyo) Kun’yomi: おんな (onna), め- (me-) Basic Information Kanji 女 Meaning woman, female Stroke Count 3 JLPT Level N5 How to Understand This Kanji 女 appears … Read more
What does 気 mean in Japanese? 気 is one of the most important Japanese kanji. It can mean spirit, energy, mood, feeling, air, or atmosphere depending on the word. You will see 気 in many common expressions such as 元気 (healthy, energetic), 天気 (weather), 気持ち (feeling), and 人気 (popularity). Because 気 has many meanings, it … Read more
貝 貝 means ‘shellfish’ or ‘shell.’ Historically, shells were used as currency in ancient China and Japan, which is why 貝 appears as a radical in many kanji related to money, value, and trade. Reading On’yomi: — Kun’yomi: かい (kai) Basic Information Kanji 貝 Meaning shell, shellfish Stroke Count 7 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
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