Japanese Kanji Made Easy: (JLPT Levels N5 - N2) Learn 1,000 Kanji and Kana the Fun and Easy Way (Online Audio Download Included

CHAPTER 1

NUMBERS and COLORS

kazo(eru), kazu, sū

Grains of rice (米) were COUNTED by a woman (女) at a folding table.

iro, shiki

A snake has patterns of COLOR and a barbed tongue.

Numbers 数

hito(tsu), ichi

ONE stroke for ONE.

futa(tsu), ni

TWO strokes for TWO.

mi(tsu), san

THREE strokes for THREE.

yo(tsu), yon, shi

four [things]

itsu(tsu), go

FIVE is only a four-stroke kanji, but there are FIVE segments.

mu(tsu), roku

Two strokes away from eight (八), you have SIX.

ya(tsu), hachi

In EIGHT hundred years, the volcano that looks like an EIGHT will erupt.

nana, nana(tsu), shichi

SEVEN includes elements of the two sounds of its name,

kokono(tsu), kyū

The angle of the clearest right angle starts at NINE and ends at noon.

tō, jū

In Roman numerals, an X is the Roman numeral for TEN, but the kanji for TEN is rotated to look like a cross.

hyaku

A white (白) band of paper wraps around one HUNDRED one dollar bills.

chi, sen

This is the profile of a centurion who has guarded a place for one THOUSAND years.

maru(i), en

A change drawer has two divisions for CIRCLE-shaped YEN coins and a larger space for YEN notes.

man, ban

One (一) place where counting takes a turn and starts in a slightly different direction (方) in Japanese is at the number TEN THOUSAND.

naka(ba), han

Two identical HALVES are cut with precision by a samurai sword.

ha(tsu), hotsu, hatsu

As you begin your DEPARTURE from your tent in the morning, you may choose from one of two (二) paths for your journey.

sotsu

Under the roof, two people (人) out of ten (十) GRADUATE with honors.

tan

The SIMPLE addition of planting merely three bits of knowledge in a field (田) can reap benefits ten-fold (十).

kyō

When ten (十) or more people multiply their power (力) through COOPERATION, they are stronger.

haku

A person with a PhD oversees ten (十) fields (田) and has a WIDE KNOWLEDGE that can be measured (寸).

Colors 色

kuro, koku

Soil (土) from the bottom of a freshly plowed field (田) runs BLACK as ink.

shiro, haku, byaku

Striking a match on the sun might initially produce very hot WHITE light.

mato, teki

In a field of white (白), a man pulls a plow right through the soil on the MARK he was aiming for.

mina, minna, kai

Comparing (比) EVERYTHING that is white (白) as the sun, you will still find variation.

kō, ō

The EMPERORS and kings (王) in a foreign land wear white (白).

aka, seki, shaku

The roots of the soil (土) are RED in color.

midori, ryoku

Heavily sowed grass thickens in GREEN layers when watered (水) well.

ao, sei

A plant sprouts its second set of branches on a BLUE moon (月).

ka(waru), hen

The UNUSUAL root vegetables used in the stew cooking on the folding table under the lid smell a little STRANGE.

ki, ō, kō

The grill has tens (十) of people ready to eat the organic YELLOW squash and other veggies skewered sideways (横).

daidai, tō

If you climb (登) the mountain beside the tree (木) to see the ORANGE sunset, take plenty of beans (豆) for energy.

murasaki, shi

When mixing PURPLE grapes for grape juice with a dipper, stop (止) if you spill any on your clothes as the threads (糸) will stain.

hai, kai

In the shade of a cliff (厂) were found the ASHES of a fire (火).

beni, kurenai, kō, ku

Through a string (糸) of costly construction (工) projects, the company’s books fell into a deep CRIMSON shade of red.

cha, sa

TEA leaves, like cut grass, are dried after a person (人) pulls them from a plant, and keeps them in bunches of 10 (十).

CHAPTER 2

PERSON

hito, jin, nin

A PERSON stands on two legs.

Person 人, ｲ

sen

A HERMIT often lives on mountains and can sometimes be a WIZARD.

tsuka(eru), shi

An retainer would SERVE his samurai and ATTEND to all his needs.

sa

The person on the left (左) will HELP the other climb upon an I-beam.

samurai, ji

A SAMURAI accompanies his master to a temple (寺).

naka, chū

A GO-BETWEEN gets in the middle (中) of things to help foster a new RELATIONSHIP.

yū, u

A person comes to HELP the person on the right (右) climb upon a box.

su(mu), jū

A man had to ask the landlord for permission to RESIDE in the building where he wanted to LIVE.

tsu(ku), tsu(ke), ~zuke, fu

A man measures (寸) a space to ATTACH new fixtures and to ADHERE pictures to the wall.

yasu(mu), kyū

A person can REST against a tree (木).

sona(eru), tomo, kyō, ku

A third person ACCOMPANIES his two friends at table.

tsuku(ru), saku, sa

This man will MAKE finishing touches on his new bookcase.

no(basu), shin

A person STRETCHES to read a tall sign post as an advertiser EXPANDS his business.

tsuta(eru), den

A person TRANSMITS two (二) lines of information to me.

tsuka(u), shi

A man USES a table saw to cut one piece of wood.

ka(riru), sha

Truly old (昔) things are only BORROWED by us over tens (十) and tens of days (日), or RENTED.

i(reru), hai(ru), nyū

A person (人) leans back as he ENTERS a room.

uchi, nai

A person (人) hangs INSIDE an enclosure.

ima, kon, kin

NOW, look at the person (人) in mid-air jumping a hurdle.

a(u), kai, e

I will MEET with another to rehearse one or two (二) lines.

kasa, san