This is a partial table of hiragana. This shows the basic characters. The pronunciation is given above each character. See thepronunciation pagefor more information on how to pronounce the sounds.
To see how to write each of the hiragana gohere.
These are the characters used to form Japanese words. Hiragana is kind of like the Japanese alphabet. Unlike the English alphabet, however, every Japanese character has the exact same sound as it's name and most characters are made of a consonant sound followed by a vowel. This makes it less of an 'alphabet' and more of a 'syllabary'.The Japanese also use two other character sets. The one for foriegn words is calledkatakanaand the one with characters which represent words or parts of words (not sounds) is called kanji.
Hiragana Writinga i u e oa: This is pronounced similarly to the 'a' in 'awful'.
i: This is pronounced similarly to the 'ee' in 'feet'.
u: This is pronounced similarly to the 'oo' in 'mood'.
e: This is pronounced similarly to the 'e' in 'met'.
o: This is pronounced similarly to the 'o' in 'cold' .
Some words you can now read in Japanese:blue (n.)good
housenephew
nopicture (n.)
up, above, over, on toplove (n.)
This is a partial table of katakana. This shows the basic characters. The pronunciation is given above each character. See thepronunciation pagefor more information on how to pronounce the sounds.
To see how to write each of the katakana gohere.
These are the characters used to form words that have foreign origins. Non-Japanese names are written in katakana. Sometimes it is also used as a replacement for "difficult" kanji or for emphasis. Animal and fruit names are often written in katakana for these reasons.Katakana is like hiragana in that every basic character has the exact same sound as its name. However, since there are more sounds in foreign words than in Japanese, katakana has more characters and combinations than hiragana does.Together, hiragana and katakana are called the 'kana.'
Katakana WritingKatakanais the set of characters that is used toform words that have foreign origins. Non-Japanese names are written inkatakana. Sometimes it is also used as a replacement for "difficult" kanji or for emphasis. Animal and fruit names are often written inkatakanafor these reasons.Katakanais likehiraganain that every basic character has the exact same sound as its name. However, since there are more sounds in foreign words than in Japanese,katakanahas more characters and combinations thanhiraganadoes. One important character that is only used inkatakanais thechouon.chouon: Thiskatakanacharacter does not have its own pronunciation. It is used to extend the vowel sound that comes before it.Inhiragana, if you wanted to extend theasound in a word, you would write an additionalacharacter. Inkatakana, this is done using thechouoninstead. Thechouoncan be used to extend any vowel sound.
The spelling ofkatakanawords of foreign origins is supposed to be based on pronunciation. The sounds are generally matched to words as most Japanese hear them. Unfortunately, there are some limitations. Aside from the charactern, every character inkatakanais made of a vowel attached to a consonant. This means that where there should be two consonants next to one another in a foriegn word, there is a vowel between them in the Japanese version of the word. Also, since Japanese has only five vowel sounds, and a limited number of consonants, substitutions are often made with the "closest" sound, sometimes making the words sound very little like the original. There is also the problem that somekatakanawords have been based on the spelling of the word instead of the pronunciation.Please note, also, that NOT all words inkatakanacome from English. In recent times, the majority of imported words in Japanese come from English, however, this was not always the case. There are many words that have been imported from Portuguese, Dutch, or German. There are, for example, two words for "glass" in Japanese. One isgarasuand the other isgurasu.Garasucomes from Dutch, and means only glass the substance.Gurasucomes from English and means only 'a cup made of glass.'Remember thatkatakanawords arenotactually the words that they are based on. Try not to be tempted to use their original pronunciation as a substitute. Often, the original word sounds so different from the Japanese version that it is completely unrecognizable to Japanese ears.Some general rules for rendering English words into katakana:In words that contain an r sound after a vowel, the katakana word usually just extends the vowel sound.Ex: mark -> ma-ku (The - in these examples represents the chouon, above.)Ex: fork -> fo-ku The v sound is generally replaced by the b sound.Ex: video -> bideo D and t, when they do not have a vowel after them, are usually replaced withdoandto,respectively.Ex: dress -> doresu Ex: contest -> kontesuto The "j" sound, when it doesn't have a vowel after it, is usually replaced withji.Ex: orange -> orenji The other single consonant sounds, when they do not have a vowel after them, are usually replaced with the appropriate consonant followed by u. (Some notable exceptions to this are the words cake and steak, which turn into ke-ki and sute-ki.)Ex: class -> kurasu Ex: club -> kurabu Ex: home -> ho-mu L and r are both replaced with characters from thera ri ru re roline of the katakana table.Ex: milk -> miruku Ex: room -> ru-mu The "see" sound is generally replaced withshi. (The newer combination of aseorsucharacter followed by a half-sizeduis used in some words.)Ex: sink -> shinku The tu sound is generally replaced with chu. (The newer combination of thetocharacter followed by a half-sizeduis used in some words.)Ex: tube -> chu-bu The soft "th" sound is replaced with characters from thesa shi su se sorow of the katakana table.Ex: thank you -> sankyu- Ex: bath -> basu The hard "th" sound is replaced with characters from theza ji zu ze zorow of the katakana table.Ex: weather -> ueza- Since the only w sound in Japanese iswa, all other w sounds are generally replaced withu.Ex: wine -> wain Ex: waiter -> ue-ta- Ex: whisky -> uisuki- Words that have a short vowel followed by a consonant will often double the consonant. (This is not the case when the consonant is n.)Ex: truck -> torakku Ex: bed -> beddo Ex: pet -> petto Ex: pen -> pen The "y" sound, except when followed by a, o, or u, is usually replaced withi.Ex: you -> yu- Ex: year -> iya- In order to make foreign words sound more like their originals, additional character combinations have been introduced. These new combinations represent fa, fi, fe, fo, si, ti, tu, di, du, wi, we, wo, va, vi, vu, ve, vo, tsa, tsi, tse, tso, che, she, and je. This means that words that came into the language earlier will sometimes follow different spelling rules than words that have been introduced more recently. Unfortunately, most Japanese people do not actually pronounce some of the new characters as they are intended to be used (especially the characters with v and w). So, the spelling has become more complicated without making the pronunciation much better. Some words even have more than one acceptable spelling now.Ex: fork -> ho-ku (old ho spelling)Ex: fork -> fo-ku (new fo spelling)
Ex: vendor -> benda- (old be spelling)Ex: vendor -> venda- (new ve spelling, still usually pronounced as be)Now that we've gotten all that tedious explanation out of the way, let's get on to actually writing the characters.
These are the 80 kanji learned by first year elementary students in Japan.Click for aprintable version.If you would like to see what these kanji mean and how to read them,go to theFirst Year Kanji Explainationspage.
First Year KanjiONEICHI ITSU hito- hito(tsu)
one
one person
January
TWONI futa futa(tsu)
two
two people
February
THREESAN mi mi(tsu) mit(tsu)
three
triangle
three days; third day of the month
FOURSHI yo yo(tsu) yot(tsu) yon
square, quadrilateral
four people
four times
FIVEGO itsu itsu(tsu)
May
five days; 5th of the month
fifth floor
SIXROKU mu mu(tsu) mut(tsu) mui
six o'clock
six days; 6th of the month
hexagon
SEVENSHICHI nana nana(tsu) nano
July
seven days; 7th of the month
seven weeks
EIGHTHACHI ya ya(tsu) yat(tsu) you
eight
eight days; 8th of the month
bamboo flute
NINEKYUU KU kokono kokono(tsu)
nine times
September
nine days; 9th of the month
TENJUU JIT- too to
ten o'clock
full, enough, sufficient
ten days; 10th of the month
HUNDREDHYAKU
100 yen (100
100 times, hundredfold
300
THOUSANDSEN chi
one thousand yen
to tear to pieces
a thousand years, a very long time
DAY, SUN, JAPANNICHI JITSU hi -bi -ka
Sunday
Japan
three days ago
MOON, MONTHGETSU GATSU tsuki
moon
Monday
December
FIREKA hi -bi ho-
Tuesday
Mars
fireworks, firecrackers
WATERSUI mizu mizu-
Wednesday
bathing suit, swim suit
seawater
TREE, WOODBOKU MOKU ki ko-
Thursday
tree
wooden sword
METAL, GOLD, MONEYKIN KON kane kana- -gane
Friday
money
metal
SOILDO TO tsuchi
Saturday
clay
(special reading)souvenir
UPJOU SHOU ue -ue uwa- kami a(geru) a(garu) a(gari) nobo(ru) nobo(ri) nobo(seru) nobo(su)
on top of that, moreover
go up, rise
raise, lift up
DOWN, UNDER, BASEKA GE shita shimo moto sa(geru) sa(garu) kuda(ru) kada(ri) kuda(su) -kuda(su) kuda(saru) o(rosu) o(riru)
underline
go down, descend
please
RIGHTU YUU migi
right side
right hand
right turn
LEFTSA hidari
left side
left-handedness, left-hander; drinker
left hand
BIG, GREATDAI TAI oo- oo(kii) oo(ini)
big, large
university, college
mass meeting, tournament
(special reading)adult
MIDDLE, INCHUU naka
center, middle
back (of body)
in the morning
SMALLSHOU chii(sai) ko- o-
elementary school
small
whisper, low voice
ENTER, PUT INNYUU i(ru) -i(ru) -i(ri) i(reru) -i(re) hai(ru)
enter
put in, insert
entrance
entrance examination
GO OUT, PUT OUTSHUTSU SUI de(ru) -de da(su) -da(su)
exit, exit ramp
memory
departure, starting out
MANDAN NAN otoko
man
boy
male, man
WOMANJO NYO NYOU onna me
woman
girl
goddess
CHILD, SMALL THINGSHI SU ko -ko -(k)ko
girl
boy
hat
HUMAN BEINGJIN NIN hito -ri -to
Japanese person
popularity
lover, sweetheart
MOUTHKOU KU kuchi
mouth
entrance
(human) population
EYE, ITEMMOKU BOKU me -me ma-
eye
alarm clock
item one
HAND, HOLDER OF AN OCCUPATIONSHU ZU te te- -te ta-
hand
skilled, good at
singer
EARJI mimi
ear
right ear
left ear
FOOT, SUFFICESOKU ashi ta(riru) ta(ru) ta(su)
foot
ankle
lack, shortage, insufficiency
Note: Although foot and leg are both pronounced ashi, the kanji are different. The kanji for foot is . The kanji for leg is .
WHITEHAKU BYAKU shiro shira- shiro(i)
white (adj.)
pure white
confession
REDSEKI SHAKU aka aka(i) aka(ramu) aka(rameru)
red (n.)
red (adj.)
baby
BLUE, GREENSEI SHOU ao ao(i)
blue (adj.)
blue sky
green grass
STUDY, SCHOOLGAKU mana(bu)
school
learn
math
SCHOOL, CHECKKOU
school
principal, headmaster
proofreading
AHEADSEN saki ma(zu)
teacher, doctor
last week
senior, superior
LIFE, BE BORN, STUDENTSEI SHOU i(kiru) i(kasu) i(keru) u(mareru) u(mare) umare u(mu) o(u) ha(eru) ha(yasu) ki nama
student, pupil
teacher, doctor
raw foods, uncooked food
YEARNEN toshi
every year
this year
last year
MOUNTAINSAN yama
mountain
Mt. Fuji
volcano
RIVERSEN kawa
river, stream, brook
upstream, upriver
brook, small stream
FLOWERKA hana
flower
fireworks
vase
RAINU ame ama- -same
rain
heavy rain
rain gutter
RICE FIELDDEN ta
country, rural district
rice paddy
Tanaka (common Japanese last name)
STONESEKI SHAKU KOKU ishi
small rock
pebble
coal
SHELLFISHkai
seafood
shellfish
shell
FORESTRIN hayashi
small forest; Hayashi (Japanese last name)
pine forest
apple (usually written in hiragana or katakana)
FOREST(Larger/thicker than hayashi)SHIN mori
forest, woodland
SEEKEN mi(ru) mi(eru) mi(seru)
look, see
be able to see, be visible
show, let see
STAND, ESTABLISHRITSU RYUU ta(tsu) tate- -da(te)-da(teru)
to stand
stand out, be conspicuous
standing up, rising
RESTKYUU yasu(mu)
rest, vacation
holiday, day off
weekly holiday
HEAVENTEN ame ama-
weather
angel
Milky Way
GAS, SPIRITKI KE
health, good spirits
weather
sickness
BOOK, BASIS, THIS, ORIGINHON moto
Japan
book
real thing, genuine article
DOGKEN inu inu-
dog
puppy
watchdog
BUG, INSECTCHUU mushi
bug, insect
hairy caterpillar
decayed tooth
GRASSSOU kusa kusa- -gusa
grass
seaweed
weed
VEHICLE, WHEELSHA kuruma
car, vehicle
bicycle
train, electric train
NAMEMEI MYOU na -na
name
surname, family name
famous
RIGHTSEI SHOU tada(shii) tada(su) masa masa(ni)
right, correct
right answer
noon
SOUNDON -NON IN oto ne
sound
music
pronunciation
EARLY, QUICKSOU SA- haya(i) haya(maru) haya(meru) sa-
early, quick
early, quickly
Good morning.
KINGOU
king
queen, mistress
Pope
VILLAGESON mura
villager
cities, towns, and villages
Azuma Village (a village in Gunma Prefecture, Japan)
TOWNCHOU machi
town mayor
cities, towns, and villages
Town of Nitta
BAMBOOCHIKU take
(or )stilts
bamboo grove
(special reading)bamboo sword (used in kendo)
AIR, SKY, EMPTYKUU sora a(ku) a(ki) a(keru) kara muna(shii)
airport
karate
empty can
THREADSHI ito
woolen yarn
thread end, beginning, clue
cotton yarn (thread)
CHARACTERJI aza
Roman letters
kanji (Chinese characters)
numbers
EVENINGSEKI yuu
evening
supper
setting sun
GEM, ROUND OBJECTGYOKU tama tama- -dama
eyeball
10 yen coin
egg (alternate characters)
LETTER, WRITINGSBUN MON fumi
(also read )letter, character
grammar
literature
POWERRYOKU RIKI chikara
human power [strength]
electrical power
force, strength, energy
CIRCLE, YENEN maru(i) maru
roundness
12 yen (12 )
round, circular
Second Year KanjiDRAW, PULLIN hi(ku) hi(ki) hi(ki)- -bi(ki) hi(keru)
pull
drawer
50% discount
FEATHER, WINGU ha wa hane
feathers, down
feather quilt, down blanket
one bird (wa is the counter for birds and rabbits)
CLOUDUN kumo -gumo
cloud
rain clouds
dark clouds
GARDENEN sono
park, public garden
paradise
zoo
DISTANTEN ON too(i)
far
farsightedness
roundabout way
WHAT, WHICH, HOW MANYKA nani nan nani- nan-
what time
what month
geometry
SUBJECT OF STUDYKA
science
school subject
(department of) surgery
SUMMERKA GE natsu
summer vacation
early summer
midsummer
HOUSE, FAMILYKA KE ie ya uchi
house
family
rent (of a house)
SONGKA uta uta(u)
song
sing
singer
PICTURE, PLANGA KAKU
movie, cinema
movie theater
foriegn film
TURN, TIMEKAI E mawa(ru) -mawa(ri) mawa(su) mawa(shi)
one time, once
walk around (wander around)
this time
MEET, SOCIETYKAI E a(u) a(waseru)
conversation
company
meet a friend
SEAKAI umi
sea
seashore
overseas
PICTUREKAI E
picture
picture book
oil painting
OUTSIDEGAI GE soto hoka hazu(su) hazu(reru)
outsider, foriegner, alien
exterior, outside
foriegn countries
ANGLE, HORNKAKU kado tsuno
(animal) horn, antler
triangle
square
PLEASURE, COMFORTABLE, MUSICGAKU RAKU tano(shii) tano(shimu)
fun
music
paradise
ACTIVE, LIVEKATSU
activity
life, a living
active volcano
BETWEEN, INTERVALKAN KEN aida ma
time, period of time
be in time
XYXYbetween X and Y
ROUNDGAN maru maru(i) maru(meru)
pill
just like; completely
cannon ball
ROCKGAN iwa
rock
reef
lava, volcanic rock
FACEGAN kao
face
washing one's face
complexion
STEAMKI
steam train
steam pressure
steamship
WRITE DOWNKI shiru(su)
diary
article, news
write clearly, specify
RETURNKI kae(ru) kae(su)
return home
Welcome home!
the way back, return trip
BOWKYUU yumi
archery
Western archery
bow and arrow
COWGYUU ushi
cattle, cow, bull, ox
(cow's) milk
beef
FISHGYO uo sakana -zakana
fish
goldfish
seafood, marine products
CAPITALKYOU KEI KIN
Kyoto (former capital of Japan)
Tokyo
Peking, Beijing
STRONGKYOU GOU tsuyo(i) tsuyo(maru) tsuyo(meru) shi(iru)
strong
study
robbery
TEACHKYOU oshi(eru) oso(waru)
teacher
teach
church
NEARKIN KON chika(i)
near (in space), not far
neighborhood
recently
OLDER BROTHERKEI KYOU ani
(special reading)older brother
brothers, siblings
brother-in-law
SHAPEKEI GYOU kata -gata katachi
shape, form
doll(in the shape of a human)
rectangle
PLAN, COMPUTEKEI haka(ru) haka(rau)
total, sum total
clock
thermometer
ORIGINGEN GAN moto
spirits, health, energy
New Year's Day
as it was before
SAY, SPEECHGEN GON i(u) koto
say, speak
word, language
dialect
PLAIN, ORIGINALGEN hara
grassland, prairie
glacier
primary color
DOORKO to
family register
shutter
cabinet, cupboard
OLDKO furu(i) furu- -furu(su)
old (not used for people)
used, secondhand
archaeology
NOONGO
noon
morning, AM
afternoon, PM
AFTER, BEHINDGO KOU nochi ushi(ro) ushiro ato oku(reru)
from behind
afternoon
later, afterwards
LANGUAGE, WORD, TELLGO kata(ru) kata(rau)
Japanese language
English language
tale, legend
CONSTRUCTION, MANUFACTUREKOU KU
engineering
carpenter
under construction
PUBLICKOU KU ooyake
in public
public park
community center
WIDEKOU hiro(i) hiro(maru) hiro(meru) hiro(garu) hiro(geru)
wide, spacious
advertisement, public notice
plaza, open square
INTERCOURSE, INTERCHANGEKOU maji(waru) maji(eru) ma(jiru) ma(zaru) ma(zeru) -ka(u) ka(wasu)
police box
traffic, transport
intersection, crossroads
LIGHTKOU hikari hika(ru)
light
lightning
light year
THINKKOU kanga(eru) kanga(e)
think
archeology
unimaginable
GO, CONDUCT, LINEKOU GYOU AN i(ku) yu(ku) -yu(ki) -yuki -i(ki) -iki okona(u)
go
bank
trip, travel
HIGHKOU taka(i) taka -daka taka(maru) taka(meru)
senior high school
tall, expensive
high speed
YELLOWKOU OU ki ko-
yellow
yolk
Yellow Sea
FIT, COMBINEGOU GAT- KAT- a(u) -a(u) a(i) ai- -a(i) -ai a(wasu) a(waseru) -a(waseru)
total, sum total
acquaintence
suit, look good with
VALLEYKOKU tani
valley stream
gorge, valley
(special reading)Hasegawa (common surname )
COUNTRYKOKU kuni
country
national language, Japanese
international
BLACKKOKU kuro kuro(i)
black
blackboard
blackhearted, malicious
NOW, PRESENT, THISKON KIN ima
now
(special reading)today
this week
(special reading)this year
(special reading)this morning
TALENT, AGE COUNTERSAI
three years old
genius
talent, ability
SLENDER, THIN, MINUTESAI hoso(i) hoso(ru) koma(ka) koma(kai)
thin, slender
long and thin
details, particulars
MAKESAKU SA tsuku(ru) tsuku(ri) -zuku(ri)
to make
hand made
product, (piece of) work
CALCULATESAN
arithmetic, calculation
addition
budget, estimate
STOPSHI to(maru) -do(mari) to(meru) -to(meru) -do(me) ya(meru) ya(mu)
stop (on Japanese stop signs)
stop smoking (quit smoking)
ban, prohibition
CITY, MARKETSHI ichi
Numata city
cities, urban communities
marketplace
ARROWSHI ya
bow and arrow
arrow (mark),
arrowhead
OLDER SISTERSHI ane
older sister; miss; young woman
sisters
older sister
THINKSHI omo(u)
mysterious, strange
memory, recollection
recall, recollect
PAPERSHI kami
wrapping paper
letter
paper
TEMPLEJI tera
old temple
temple
Ginkaku Temple (silver pavilion temple in Kyoto)
SELFJI SHI mizuka(ra) ono(zukara)
self, one's self
self confidence
automatic
TIME, HOURJI toki -doki
one o'clock
time, period
sometimes
ROOMSHITSU muro
meeting room
Japanese style room
indoors
COMPANY, SOCIETYSHA yashiro
society
a company
company president
WEAKJAKU yowa(i) yowa(ru) yowa(maru) yowa(meru)
weak
weakling
complaints
NECK, HEAD, LEADERSHU kubi
neck
wrist
prime minister
AUTUMNSHUU aki
fall, autumn
autumnal equinox
this (next) fall
WEEKSHUU
this week
last week
one week
SPRINGSHUN haru
spring
vernal (spring) equinox
spring breeze
WRITE, WRITINGSHO ka(ku) -ga(ki) -gaki
to write
library
document, note
LITTLE, FEWSHOU suku(nai) suko(shi)
little by little
boy
girl
PLACEJOU ba
place, site, spot, space
factory
parking space/lot, car park
COLORSHOKU SHIKI iro
complexion
primary color
yellow
EAT, FOODSHOKU JIKI ku(u) ku(rau) ta(beru)
to eat
meal, board
food
HEARTSHIN kokoro -gokoro
heart
worry, be uneasy
be releived, be at ease
NEWSHIN atara(shii) ara(ta) ara- nii-
new
fresh
newspaper
PARENT, RELATIVES, INTIMATESHIN oya oya- shita(shii)
parents
father
kind, friendly
DRAWINGZU TO haka(ru)
map
library (building)
library (room)
NUMBERSUU SU kazu kazo(eru)
math
arithmetic
a number of times, several times
WESTSEI SAI nishi
west
northwest
Western Hemisphere
VOICESEI SHOU koe kowa-
voice
(animal) cry , roar
loud voice
STARSEI SHOU hoshi -boshi
star
planet
Mars
FINE WEATHERSEI ha(reru) ha(re) ha(re)- -ba(re) ha(rasu)
clear sky
fine day
barometer
CUTSETSU SAI ki(ru) -ki(ru) ki(ri) -ki(ri) -gi(ri) ki(reru) -ki(reru) ki(re) -ki(re) -gi(re)
to cut
important, weighty
stamp
ticket
fingernail clippers
SNOWSETSU yuki
snow
to snow
snowman
SHIPSEN fune funa- -bune
ship
balloon
captain (of a ship)
LINESEN
line
underline
Tobu Line (for trains or busses)
BEFOREZEN mae -mae
before noon, AM
name, given name
three days ago
ORGANIZE, GROUPSO ku(mu) kumi -gumi
join hands
group of three people
TV program
RUNSOU hashi(ru)
to run
runner
Thank you for the meal.
MANYTA oo(i)
many
probably, maybe
large number, multitudes
THICK,GREATTAI TA futo(i) futo(ru)
sun
Pacific Ocean
be fat
BODY, FORMTAI TEI karada
body
body weight
physical training, P.E.
STAND, COUNTER FOR VEHICLES/MACHINESDAI TAI
2 computers
kitchen
typhoon
GROUNDCHI JI
subway
earthquake
map, atlas
PONDCHI ike
pond
battery
reservoir
KNOWCHI shi(ru) shi(raseru) shi(reru)
information, notice, report
to know
knowledge
TEACHA SA
green tea
black tea
light brown
DAYTIMECHUU hiru
lunch
daytime, day
lunch break
LONG, HEADCHOU naga(i)
long
length
height
company president
BIRDCHOU tori
kill two birds with one stone
chicken (meat)
swan
MORNINGCHOU asa
breakfast
breakfast
(special reading)this morning
STRAIGHT, FIXCHOKU JIKI JIKA tada(chini) nao(su) -nao(su) nao(ru) nao(ki) su(gu)
fix
get better (get well)
honest, frank
straight
PASS, COMMUNICATETSUU TSU too(ru) too(ri) -too(ri) -doo(ri) too(su) too(shi) -doo(shi) kayo(u)
traffic, transit, passage
main street
through, throughout
YOUNGER BROTHERTEI DAI DE otouto
brothers
brother-in-law
younger brother
SHOPTEN mise
shop
clerk, store employee
main office/store
POINTTEN
two points
point in dispute
boiling point
ELECTRICITYDEN
electricity
microwave
telephone
(electric) train
battery
SWORDTOU katana
Japanese sword
sword
(special reading)razor
WINTERTOU fuyu
winter
winter vacation
winter solstice
HIT, THE PRESENTTOU a(taru) a(tari) a(teru) a(te)
at the time, in those days
being on duty, person on duty
proper, right, as it should be
EASTTOU higashi
east
Tokyo
east exit
ANSWERTOU kotae
(an) answer
to answer
answer a question
HEAD, COUNTER FOR LARGE ANIMALSTOU ZUTO atama kashira -gashira
head
three cows
headache
SAMEDOU ona(ji)
same
at the same time
in the same way
WAYDOU TOU michi
sidewalk, footpath
street
backstreets, secret paths
READDOKU TOKU TOU yo(mu) -yo(mi)
to read
reading matter, book
reader, subscriber
INSIDENAI DAI uchi
shy
phone extension, inner line
within, less than, inside of
SOUTHNAN NA minami
south
South Pole
south exit
FLESHNIKU
meat
muscle, sinews
pork
HORSEBA uma uma- ma
horse
stilts
fool, idiot, stupid
SELLBAI u(ru) u(reru)
selling place
sell
vending machine
BUYBAI ka(u)
buy
shopping
go shopping
WHEATBAKU mugi
wheat
wheat flour
rye
HALFHAN naka(ba)
half
half a day
1:30, half past one
NUMERICAL ORDER, ONE'S TURNBAN
first, most, best
number, serial number
TV program
police box
order, turn
FATHERFU chichi
dad
father
grandfather
WIND, MANNERFUU FU kaze kaza- -kaze
wind
typhoon
electric fan
Japanese style
bath
balloon
DIVIDE, MINUTE, UNDERSTANDBUN FUN BU wa(keru) wa(ke) wa(kareru) wa(karu) wa(katsu)
to understand
one minute
half
HEARBUN MON ki(ku) ki(koeru)
(be able to) hear
to listen to
newspaper
RICE, AMERICABEI MAI kome yone
U.S.A
polished white rice
unpolished rice
STEP, WALKHO BU FU aru(ku) ayu(mu)
to walk
go for a walk/stroll
sidewalk, footpath
MOTHERBO haha
mother
grandmother
mother
DIRECTION, WAYHOU kata -kata -gata -nata
one's way of speaking
in the direction of x, toward x
method, way, technique
NORTHHOKU kita
north
North Pole
Northern Hemisphere
EVERYMAI -goto(ni)
every day
every month
every year
every morning
YOUNGER SISTERMAI imouto
younger sister
sisters
younger daughter
TEN THOUSANDMAN BAN
ten thousand
one hundred thousand
by some slim chance
shoplifting
BRIGHT, CLEARMEI MYOU a(kari) aka(rui) aka(rumu) aka(ramu) aki(raka) a(keru) -a(ke) a(ku) a(kuru) a(kasu)
/ (special readings)tomorrow
(special reading)the day after tomorrow
bright, light, cheerful
plain, clear, evident
CRY, SOUNDMEI na(ku) na(ru) na(rasu)
a scream
(animal) cry,call
to ring
HAIRMOU ke
hair (on one's head)
blanket
yarn
GATEMON kado
school gate
specialty, profession
specialist
NIGHTYA yo yoru
tonight, this evening
midnight, middle of the night
dawn, daybreak
FIELDYA no no-
vegetable
baseball
wild, wild nature
FRIENDYUU tomo
friend
friend
close friend
EMPLOY, TASKSYOU mochi(iru)
prepare, get ready
things to do, business, errand
have things to do
DAY OF THE WEEKYOU
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
COMERAI ku(ru) kita(ru) kita(su)
to come
visitor, guest
future
COUNTRYSIDE, LEAGUERI sato
hometown, birthplace
mountain village
REASON, ORDERRI
reason, cause
impossible, unreasonable
science, science department
SPEAKWA hana(su) hanashi
telephone
help, aid, care
to speak
Third Year KanjiBADAKU O waru(i) waru-
the worst
bad
not smart, dumb
PEACEFUL, INEXPENSIVEAN yasu(i) yasu(maru) yasu yasu(raka)
inexpensive
safe, not dangerous
uneasiness, anxiety
DARKAN kura(i)
dark
code, password
gloomy, dim
DOCTOR, MEDICINEI
doctor
dentist
veterinarian
COMMITI
commitee
board of education
commitee member
MEANING, MINDI
meaning
caution, attention
nastiness, ill-natured person
RAISEIKU soda(tsu) soda(chi) soda(teru)
education
physical education
to bring up, to raise
MEMBERIN
company employee, staff member
all members
shop clerk
INSTITUTIONIN
hospital
(medical) clinic
graduate student
DRINKIN no(mu) -no(mi)
drink, beverage
to drink
bar, drinking establishment
CARRY, FORTUNEUN hako(bu)
fate, fortune
carry, transport
to have good luck
SWIMEI oyo(gu)
swimming
to swim
breast stroke
STATIONEKI
train station
station employee
boxed lunch available at train stations
CENTEROU
center, central
epicenter (of an earthquake)
SIDEWAYSOU yoko
pedestrian crosswalk
side, sideways, width
to lie down
HOUSE, SHOPOKU ya
roof
book shop
room
WARMON atata(ka) atata(kai) atata(maru) atata(meru)
temperature
hot spring
greenhouse, hot-house
CHANGE INTOKA KE ba(keru) ba(kasu)
culture
change, transformation
ghost, apparition
LOADKA ni
luggage, baggage, parcel
packing
take a load off
WORLD, BOUNDSKAI
world, universe
boundary, bounds, limits
the entertainment world
OPENKAI hira(ku) hira(ki) -bira(ki) hira(keru) a(ku) a(keru)
open the window
the window is open
open a meeting
FLOOR, LEVELKAI
stairs, steps
second floor
basement, cellar
COLDKAN samu(i)
cold (weather)
coldness
the chills
FEELKAN
feeling, sense
be moved, be impressed
sensitive
CHINESE, MANKAN
Chinese characters
Chinese-Japanese dictionary
groper of women
PUBLIC BUILDINGKAN
movie theater
Japanese inn
library
SHOREGAN kishi
beach, sea shore
opposite bank, further shore
RISE, WAKEKI o(kiru) o(koru) o(kosu)
to wake up
to wake (something) up, to cause to wake
to happen, to occur
TERM, EXPECTKI GO
third school term
term, period
term-end test
VISITOR, CUSTOMERKYAKU KAKU
(honorable) customer, (honorable) guest
visitor, guest
passenger seat (of car), seat (in theater)
STUDY EXHAUSTIVELYKYUU kiwa(meru)
research, study
study of natural laws
URGENT, HURRY, SUDDENKYUU iso(gu) iso(gi)
sharp turn
hurry
ambulance
GRADEKYUU
students of the same grade
Japanese proficiency test level two
advanced class, higher grade
ROYAL PALACE, SHINTO SHRINEKYUU GUU KU miya
labyrinth, maze
visit to a shrine
Miyazaki Prefecture (on the island of Kyushu)
BALLKYUU tama
baseball (the game)
light bulb
the Earth
GO AWAYKYO KO sa(ru) -sa(ru)
last year
the past
retreat, evacuate, withdraw
BRIDGEKYOU hashi
bridge
iron bridge
the Joumou (large) Bridge
WORK, BUSINESSGYOU GOU waza
lesson, instruction
graduation
open for business
MUSICAL COMPOSITION, CURVEKYOKU ma(garu) ma(geru)
famous song
turn to the right
name of a song
BUREAU, LOCALITYKYOKU
post office
after all, in conclution
local
SILVERGIN
bank
silver colored
silver hair
DISTRICT, WARDKU
school district
to punctuate, mark off by a comma
Shinjuku Ward (in Tokyo)
SUFFER, BITTERKU kuru(shii) -guru(shii) kuru(shimu) kuru(shimeru) niga(i) niga(ru)
bitter
hard, painful, distressing
suffer, be distressed
IMPLEMENTGU
furniture
tool
utensil, implement, appliance
MASTER, FAMILIAR TITLE, YOUKUN kimi -gimi
you (used with friends or inferiors)
Mr. Tanaka (used with friends or inferiors)
you (plural) (used with friends or inferiors)
CONNECT, PERSON IN CHARGEKEI kaka(ru) kakari -gakari
chief clerk
information desk clerk
relationship, connection
LIGHTKEI karu(i) karo(yaka)
light (not heavy)
light class car
light meal, snack
BLOODKETSU chi
blood
bleeding, hemorrhage
nosebleed
DECIDEKETSU ki(meru) -gi(me) ki(maru)
decide
be decided, be settled
decision (of a contest)
GRIND, RESEARCHKEN to(gu)
research, study
rice polisher
knife sharpener, whetstone
PREFECTUREKEN
Gunma Prefecture
prefectural office
prefectures (Tokyo, Hokkado, etc.)
STORAGE CHAMBERKO KU kura
garage, parking space
warehouse
cashbox, strong box
LAKEKO mizuumi
lake
on the lake
lakeside, lake shore
TURN TOWARDKOU mu(ku) mu(ki) -mu(ki) mu(keru) -mu(ke) mu(kau) mu(kou) mu(kou)-
geared toward elementary school students
the other side, the opposite side, the other party
head towards ~
GOOD FORTUNE, HAPPINESSKOU saiwa(i) sachi shiawa(se)
happy, fortunate
unhappiness, misfortune
good luck, good fortune
PORTKOU minato
airport
port
NUMBER, DESIGNATIONGOU
telephone number
traffic light, signal
room number 3
ROOTKON ne -ne
Japanese white radish
roots, basis
roof
FESTIVALSAI matsu(ru) matsu(ri) matsuri
festival
national holiday
culture festival
PLATEsara
dishwashing
ice cube tray
saucer
SERVE, DOSHI JI tsuka(eru)
work, job
it can't be helped
serve God
DIESHI shi(nu) shi(ni)
die
corpse, dead body
desperately, for one's dear life
USESHI tsuka(u) tsuka(i) -tsuka(i) -zuka(i)
to use
angel
use, employ, apply
BEGINSHI haji(meru) -haji(meru) haji(maru)
beginning
opening ceremony (of a school term)
begin to write
FINGER, POINTSHI yubi sa(su) -sa(shi)
thumb (lit. parent finger)
fingerprint
to point
TOOTHSHI ha
tooth, teeth
dentist
toothbrushing, toothepaste
POETRYSHI
poem, poetry
poet
epic poem
NEXTJI SHI tsu(gu) tsugi
next
next time
second son
(ABSTRACT) THING, AFFAIRJI ZU koto
work, job
construction work
office
HOLDJI mo(tsu) -mo(chi) mo(teru)
to hold
bring
feeling, sensation
STYLE, CEREMONYSHIKI
wedding ceremony
graduation ceremony
Japanese style
REALJITSU mi mino(ru)
experiment
in reality
fact, reality
COPYSHA utsu(su) utsu(ru)
a photograph
take a photo
PERSONSHA mono
doctor
scholar
young person, youth
MAIN, MASTERSHU SU nushi omo
master, husband
pet owner
housewife
PROTECTSHU SU mamo(ru) mamo(ri) mori -mori
protect
good-luck charm
babysitting, babysitter
TAKESHU to(ru) to(ri) to(ri)- tori- -do(ri)
take
dustpan
receive, take in, accept
ALCOHOLIC DRINKSHU sake saka-
alcohol, beer, liquor, wine etc.
Japanese rice wine, sake
liquor store
RECEIVEJU u(keru) -u(ke) u(karu)
reception desk, receptionist
receipt
take a test, sit an exam
STATESHUU su
State of Alaska
state capital
Kyushu (southernmost of the four main islands of Japan)
PICK UPSHUU JUU hiro(u)
pick up a stone, gather stones
catch a taxi
narrowly escape with one's life
ENDSHUU o(waru) -o(waru) o(eru)
the end, ending, conclusion
finish reading
last, final
LEARN, CUSTOMSHUU nara(u) nara(i)
study, take lessons in
practice
bad habit
COLLECTSHUU atsu(maru) atsu(meru) tsudo(u)
gather, collectvi
gathervt
stamp collecting
LIVEJUU su(mu) su(mau) -zu(mai)
home address
dwelling house, residence
I live in Numata.
HEAVY, DUPLICATEJUU CHOU e omo(i) omo(ri) kasa(neru) kasa(naru)
heavy, weighty
body weight
weight
LODGESHUKU yado yado(ru) yado(su)
homework
hotel charge
take shelter from the rain
PLACESHO tokoro -tokoro dokoro
place, spot, site
four places, four sites
kitchen
HOT, SUMMER HEATSHO atsu(i)
hot and humid, swealtering
hot (weather)
best wishes for the hot season
HELPJO tasu(keru) tasu(karu) suke
helpvt
help, assistvi
help each other
LUMINOUSSHOU
55th year of the Showa Era
EXTINGUISH, SPENDSHOU ki(eru) ke(su)
dissapear
turn off the lights/power
(rubber) eraser
TRADESHOU akina(u)
goods for sale, commodities
trade, business, commerce
store, shop
CHAPTER, BADGESHOU
Chapter 1
writing, composition
armband, arm badge
WIN, EXCELSHOU ka(tsu) -ga(chi) masa(ru)
to win
victory, championship
winner
RIDE, GET ONJOU no(ru) -no(ri) no(seru)
get on/ride a bicycle
passenger
transfer, change trains/busses
PLANTSHOKU u(eru) u(waru)
plant, vegetation
to plant
botanical garden
REPORT, SPEAK HUMBLYSHIN mou(su) mou(shi)-
I'm very sorry. I have no excuse.
to apply for, make a proposal
application, petition
BODY, ONE'S PERSONSHIN mi
height (of a person)
transformation
place where one come's from
GOD, MINDSHIN JIN kami kan- kou-
god, God
god of death
Shinto shrine
TRUE,GREATSHIN ma ma-
truth, reality
center, middle
straight (ahead), honest
DEEPSHIN fuka(i) -buka(i) fuka(maru) fuka(meru)
deep
depth, profundity
of great interest
ADVANCESHIN susu(mu) susu(meru)
to advance
evolution, progress
a step forward
WORLD, AGESEI SE yo
aid, care, everyday affairs
world
Lupan the 3rd
PUT IN ORDERSEI totono(eru) totono(u)
tidy up one's hair, put one's hair in order
integer
symmetry
FORMER TIMESSEKI SHAKU mukashi
Long, long ago...
legend, old/fairy tale
WHOLEZEN matta(ku) sube(te)
all, the whole, entirely
not at all (used w/ neg. sentences)
all members
safety, security
PHASE, MUTUAL, MINISTER OF STATESOU SHOU ai-
partner, opponent
consultation, discussion
as usual, as ever
SENDSOU oku(ru)
to send, to escort (a person somewhere)
broadcasting
farewell (send off) party
CONCEIVESOU SO
imagination
civility, courtesy
daydream, fantasy
BREATHSOKU iki
breathe in
breathe out
a sigh
QUICKSOKU haya(i) haya- haya(meru) sumi(yaka)
quick, fast
speed
at once, immediately
FAMILYZOKU
family, household
relative
a noisy band of motorcycle/scooter riding delinquents
OTHERTA
another person, other people
the rest, the others
murder, homicide
STRIKEDA u(tsu) u(chi)-
hit/drive in a nail
AAhit the 'A' key
preliminary (previous) arrangement
OPPOSITE, OPPOSETAI TSUI
absolute
opposite
oppose, object to
Mariners vs. Yankees
WAITTAI ma(tsu) -ma(chi)
hold on a second
wait for a train
invitation
GENERATION, SUBSTITUTE, CHARGEDAI TAI ka(waru) ka(wari) -ga(wari) ka(eru) yo shiro
the 70s
room rent
represent, stand for
ORDINAL NUMBER PREFIXTOU fuyu
Meeting Room 2
first impression
third party
TITLE, TOPIC, PROBLEMDAI
problem, matter, question
homework
title
COAL, CHARCOALTAN sumi
coal
carbonated water
carbon
SHORTTAN mijika(i)
short (not used for heights)
short term
short time
TALKDAN
consultation, discussion
joke
political talk
WEAR, ARRIVE, STICKCHAKU JAKU ki(ru) -gi ki(seru) -ki(se) tsu(ku) tsu(keru)
wear/put on a dress
bathing (swimmin) suit
kimono
arrival
POUR, CONCENTRATECHUU soso(gu)
caution, attention
to pour
to place an order
PILLARCHUU hashira
power pole, electric pole
grandfather's clock, wall clock
TOWN SUBSECTION, MISC. COUNTERCHOU TEI
3-chome (town sub-section 3)
kichen knife
just, exactly
NOTEBOOKCHOU
notebook, account book, register
bankbook
diary
TONE, INVESTIGATE, PREPARECHOU shira(beru) shira(be) totono(u) totono(eru)
investigate, look into, look up
condition, state (of health), tone, key
seasonings
CHASETSUI o(u)
chase, run after
overtake, catch up with
persue, follow up
FIX, SETTEI JOU sada(meru) sada(maru) sada(ka)
set meal, day's special
plans, schedule
regular (fixed) holiday
GARDEN, YARDTEI niwa
garden, yard
rock garden
home, family, household
FLUTETEKI fue
whistle
windpipe
flute player
IRONTETSU
railway
subway
iron reinforced concrete
TURNTEN koro(garu) koro(geru) koro(gasu) koro(bu)
revolve, rotate
bicycle
fall down, tumble over
METROPOLISTO TSU miyako
cities
capital city
city of Tokyo
DEGREE, TIMEDO TO TAKU tabi
three times, three degrees
just, exactly
temperature
THROW, SEND INTOU na(geru) -na(ge)
throw
pitcher
throw out, abandon
BEANTOU ZU mame mame-
bean
tofu
soy milk
ISLANDTOU shima
island
island country
Nakajima (Japanese surname)
HOT WATERTOU yu
hot water
public bath house
boiling water
CLIMBTOU TO nobo(ru)
to climb
appear, come on stage
registration
EQUAL, CLASSTOU hito(shii) -ra
those guys
divide equally
equality, impartiality
MOVEDOU ugo(ku) ugo(kasu)
animal
move
automobile
be moved, be impressed
CHILDDOU warabe
child, juvenile
fairy tale, nursery tale
children's song, nursery rhyme
FARMINGNOU
agriculture
farmer
farm
WAVEHA nami
waves
electromagnetic waves, radio waves
tsunami, tidal wave
DISTRIBUTEHAI kuba(ru)
deal cards
worry, anxiety
color arrnagement (scheme)
TIMES, DOUBLEBAI
four times, quadruple
multiple
to double
BOXhako
box
first-aid kit
mail box
FIELDhata hatake -batake
fields
cultivate a field
flower garden
START, EMITHATSU HOTSU
discovery, detection
departure
explosion
OPPOSEHAN HON TAN so(ru) so(rasu)
oppose, object to
break the law, act contrary to
anti-war
SLOPEHAN saka
steep slope/hill
slope
upward slope, ascent
BOARD, PLATEHAN BAN ita
blackboard
sign, signboard
board
SKINHI kawa
skin
fur
apple skin/peel
SADHI kana(shii) kana(shimu)
sad
tragedy, tragic drama
grief, sadness
BEAUTIFULBI MI utsuku(shii)
beautiful
art, the arts
art museum
NOSEBI hana
nose
nosebleed
runny nose, nasal discharge
BRUSH, WRITINGHITSU fude
pencil
writing/paint brush
fountain pen
ICEHYOU koori hi
ice
glacier
shaved ice dessert with flavored syrup
EXPRESS, SURFACE, TABLEHOU omote -omote arawa(su) arawa(reru)
announce, make public, publish
express, represent, manifest
bingo grid
SECONDBYOU
one second
second hand (of a clock)
five minutes eleven seconds
ILLNESSBYOU HEI ya(mu) -ya(mi) yamai
sickness, illness, disease
hospital
death of illness
ARTICLEHIN shina
article, thing, goods
food products, foodstuffs
(piece of) work, producation, performance
LOSE, BEARFU ma(keru) ma(kasu) o(u)
to lose
hating to lose
loser, a middle aged woman who isn't married
SECTIONBU -be
part, section
all, the whole
school club activities
CLOTHES, SUBMITFUKU
(Western) clothes
uniform, regulation dress
plain clothes, civilian clothes
FORTUNEFUKU
social welfare
fortunate, blessed, happy
great fortune, sticky rice cake stuffed with bean paste
THINGBUTSU MOTSU mono mono-
animal
luggage, baggage, load
plants, vegetation
thing (concrete)
FLAT, CALMHEI BYOU tai(ra) -daira hira hira-
peace
weekday
1717Heisei Year 17 (the year 2005)
RETURNHEN kae(su) -kae(su) kae(ru) -kae(ru)
response, reply
return a video
repeat, do again
ENDEAVORBEN
study
diligent, hard working
LET GOHOU hana(su) -(p)pana(shi) hana9tsu) hana(reru)
free a bird, let go of a bird
the door is left open
all you can eat
TASTEMI aji aji(wau)
flavor, taste
to taste
tasty, delicious
hobby, interest
ORDER, LIFEMEI MYOU inochi
(mortal) life
for (one's) life, with all one's might
orders, command, decree
FACEMEN omo omote tsura
screen, face of a TV/monitor
washroom (face washing place)
mask, disguise
QUESTIONMON to(u) to9i) ton
question
problem, question
visit
SERVICEYAKU EKI
be of use, be useful
public office, town hall
actor/actress
DRUGYAKU kusuri
medicine, drug
drugstore, pharmacy, (chemist Br. Eng.)
cold medicine
REASONYU YUU YUI yoshi
reason, cause
freedom
unreserved seat
OILYU abura
soy sauce
kerosene
oil painting
HAVEYUU U a(ru)
There is a birthday party.
thank you
famous
PLAYYUU YU aso(bu) aso(basu)
to play
amusement park
play, fun, amusement
IN ADVANCEYO
plans, arrangements, schedule
reservation, preengagement
weather forecast
SHEEPYOU hitsuji
sheep
lamb
sheep farming
OCEAN, WESTERNYOU
(Western) clothes
foriegn (Western) film, Western painting
Pacific Ocean
LEAFYOU ha
leaf
word, term, language
post card
SUNYOU hi
sun
proton
MODE, FORMAL TITLEYOU sama
king
state, appearance
like a ~, in the way of a ~
FALLRAKU o(chiru) o(chi) o(tosu)
to fall
drop, let fall
calm down, settle down
FLOW, STYLERYU RU naga(reru) naga(re) naga(su) -naga(su)
to flow, to be washed away
interchange
electric current
TRAVELRYO tabi
a trip, travel
Japanese inn
traveler
BOTHRYOU
both
parents
both hands
GREENRYOKU ROKU midori
green (color)
green tea
yellow-green
ETIQUETTE, RITEREI RAI
rudeness, impoliteness; Excuse me.
thanks, appreciation, expression of gratitude
!!!!Attention! Bow! (Often heard in schools at the beginning of class or at ceremonies.)
ROWRETSU
line, queue, matrix
(railway) train
form a line (queue)
TRAINREN ne(ru) ne(ri)-
practice, training
to practice, to train
training, drill
ROADRO -ji
journey
road, street
railway line, track
PEACE, JAPANWA O yawa(ragu) yawa(rageru) nago(mu) nago(yaka)
peace, harmony
Japanese style
Japanese->English dictionary