A Kanji a Day

Kanji for Power, Strength, or Force: 力 (Chikara)

The Japanese kanji for “Strength” or “power” is 力. The pronunciation of the Kanji 力 is “chikara” (ちから) in its kun’yomi (Japanese reading) and “riki” (リキ) or “ryoku” (リョク) in its on’yomi (Chinese reading). The shape of this kanji is rather simple, and its shape has a clear origin. Moreover, the other meanings of the Kanji of Chikara are all

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Kanji for the Earth or Ground: 土 (Tsuchi)

The Japanese kanji for ‘earth’ or ‘ground’ is 土. This earth’s kanji is a pictogram that represents the physical shape of the earth with mounds of sand and stones. The pronunciation of the kanji of earth or ground (土) depends on the context, as follows: The Kanji 土 is constructed with 3 strokes. This Kanji is a part of the

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Kanji for Mouth or Opening: 口 (Kuchi)

The Japanese kanji for “mouth” in Japanese is 口. Pronunciation The Kanji 口 is constructed with 3 strokes. This Kanji is a part of the JLPT N4 syllabus (please check the JLPT N4 kanji list). In Japanese schools, this Kanji is taught in grade 1. Origin of the Kanji 口 to Denote Mouth The character 口 is a pictogram, which

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Kanji for Person or Human Being: 人 (Hito)

The Japanese Kanji for “person” or “human being” is 人. The Kanji 人 is constructed with 2 strokes. This Kanji is a part of the JLPT N5 syllabus (please check the list of JLPT N5 Kanji). In Japanese schools, this Kanji is taught in grade 1. Origin of the Person’s Kanji 人 In its earliest forms of the Chinese scripts,

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Kanji for Sun as a Celestial Body: 太陽 (Taiyō)

The Sun in Japanese is also called Taiyō, which represents the sun more formally and scientifically, and the Kanji for Taiyō is 太陽. Difference between the two Kanjis of the Sun: 日 (Hi) and 太陽 (Taiyō) Both 太陽 and the sun’s Kanji 日 can refer to the sun, but they are used differently based on context and connotation. 太陽 (taiyō)

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Kanji for Sun or Day 日 (Hi or Nichi)

The kanji for “sun” in Japanese is 日. The pronunciation of 日 is “hi” in its kun’yomi reading and “nichi” or “jitsu” in its on’yomi reading. However, please remember that the pronunciation of the kanji 日 can be different (hi, ka, nichi, bi, etc.) depending on the word and context. The Kanji 日 is constructed with 4 strokes. This Kanji

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Kanji of Moon and Month: 月 (Tsuki or Getsu/Gatsu)

The kanji for “moon” in Japanese is 月. Please note that the original Japanese calendar, like some others in Asia, was the lunar calendar, based on the moon’s movement, so the moon’s Kanji 月 also means “month.” The pronunciation of the Kanji 月 is “tsuki” (つき) in its kun’yomi (Japanese reading) and “gatsu” (ガツ) or “getsu” (ゲツ) in its on’yomi

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Kanji for Water: 水 (Mizu)

The Japanese kanji for “water” is 水. The pronunciation of the Kanji 水 is “mizu” (みず) in its kun’yomi (Japanese reading) and “sui” (スイ) in its on’yomi (Chinese reading). The shape of this kanji is rather simple, and its shape has a clear origin. The Kanji 水 is constructed with 4 strokes. This Kanji is a part of the JLPT

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Kanji for ‘Before’ or “In Front Of”: 前 (Mae)

The Japanese kanji for “before” or “In front of” is 前 (mae). The pronunciation of the Kanji 前 is “mae” (まえ) in its kun’yomi (Japanese reading) and “zen” (ゼン) in its on’yomi (Chinese reading). The shape of this kanji is rather simple, and its shape has a clear origin. However, the pronunciations can change based on the word the kanji

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Kanji for Paddy (Rice Field): 田 (Da)

田 is the kanji for “rice field” in Japanese. The pronunciation of the Kanji 田 is “ta” (た) in its kun’yomi (Japanese reading) and “den” (デン) in its on’yomi (Chinese reading). The shape of this kanji is rather simple, and its shape has a clear origin. However, in some compounded words, the Japanese pronunciation changes to “da”. A couple of

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