KA LOOK AND LEARN 512 Kanji with Illustrations and Mnemonic Hints TX-YCHABWARSEFS12 za (> LE ) ‘ SQ ane ab SPREE GUOIME Wd ULAS TAG FR ERAS Eri Banno Yoko led Chikoko Shinagawa —_Koori Tojimo Kyoko Tekashiki(LEDIC AWESIERE IO DAREERLE LABS LT, WAAL KV OREHA TH. WE EM OTOSUNER EBL CML A, REO TH (MS BOUIN ERE DMI MRDIZVE Bo TWD ADIDIMEY ELK HAMPER BILL o TREBLE -W-Y KbeEObOTH. (MEAT! [4E AGNEW [MATEICENTLESIEBUTLEAALSUTLE Fo Kilt COLABPEELMA Go TUDES ADS, 4 OMB CEAM LET 1 74 7 EMD, Bit MAS MATEO TH. FHHAKL SENSEI, LET NTOMEE A FAL CHL, HAPTK FSROBIEAb-V EAT ELK. LOK MEFILAFAED, RLALGMODLTCHS< OMEEFEATK NACL EDA EF. EL, ICSE ICD, MELA SRBOBBILTAKEIME ETT. CDAD TEASED & 5 AEA Y OFM EBLE LE. ROMMEL AY. AIHIS BEET RS ORIANY IA LAMM BOW AFIS A, 192A b eH T CES ORFMMON FSAI, BRAMLEY RBMVALET. EX, HOMER te DUT RSEOEKGHS A, COBMEMED SOD EGA TC NEEER BIC, ob LN BLEHLEFES. 20094F 4) ea— (3)Preface This book is a beginning- to intermediate-level kanji textbook for Japanese-| Tanguage Jeamers from cultures that do not use Chinese characters. It is designed for basically two types of students —those who have already begun to learn kanji but want to have more fi in their studies, and those without any background in kanji who want to start learning these characters. Kanji cannot be mastered overnight, and many learners find the characters to be intimj. dating, tricky to memorize, and easy to forget. We, the authors of this book, have frequently worked with such learners in our roles as Japanese- language instructors, so we decided to pool together ideas from our daily teaching experiences to create a tool for helping students to tackle kanji. By carefully selecting and refining our ideas, we came up with a book that makes kanji learning fun and easy through illustrations and mnemonic hints for each of the 512 characters presented. We hope that this book will enable students to enjoyably leam many kanji and that it will serve as a handy reference for Japanese-language instructors when they teach kanji, We wish to express our deep appreciation to everyone who assisted us during the five years it took to bring this book to completion. We especially thank Chiaki Sekido of the Japan Times Publications Department for painstakingly editing our work, Noriko Udagawa for drawing the illustrations, Yutaka Ono for aiding our development of the material, and our students for inspiring us to create this book. April 2009 The Authors {40O® Contents ISUMle/ Preface ected Oe Re Os 3] TORHOARE BUF “about THIS: Book ieee dotting [8] BPORK ji 1G Satoh hes ta te A reac, itt eS as Ste Se [16] RFOBA / Kanji Basicg -----vnnrnnnsemnnnsees BOUMRER/Kanii Paar tes nieresssetecgategedjengsnisctcrooonessansenescoteorense obgtoneseSnpnteecopunerensafasonecbstoned (26] 88 Bom #48 ae BOR #08 278 Bom my BOR #1088 |severe | |B | te) He A] | IB | RE Re Bz ig i ie sons | AL BR) 4) FIAT | S| BE | let) BORAME Je} 8g) gS I ee 3B fal AX fay slam ) | ae SADT] 8 R19 S034 aah Qf) HEP] itt iB ARP] SLY lake |] 8] or HR] Hel] sem] | 34s a) 42) a SS eee 8 gt of te 1B} 5] 4 8) got |B) | om SE LT 5) RE) Se aise ga] | salt |] oy] | BRK] S| ME]) 3801) 3] aK Vp] HEL) a he] | ye e{ae fe] ala clay) deg} few 2 sx slax Sap] AY] st P] sa] g gat} ] 522) ) a ak] | sae SE] PST] PR] ey] Bey] ae] ] ae] ae lx Sd ee a Ga es ee kee eS JB] sel] seh] |] St] ae] |] | lw SHEL] AKT) PSP) AKL] AY] VL] eT LT ak 5} KYB) &| st FB) 5] BX IBS) HK FE 8) we JE) 2) ax (Eg) aK 8) 3] 00 (Bg ao SQ] REY ARTY eT RY eel) aK] wel] ese 5} Sas fa] 8] fel 3] HS fal 3) HE fay 3) OS fe) el ame [a 8) SE ay 8) |g aK SHIT EEL Vy Holy gee) say] REIT eB |) alae) Ro mo ae Se eR R- R “~~ 198 Be BX < Ui (Stroke Count Index) en niinennnaennannn 200 BUNA

THOS Mite (3 ATALF AU UTR) CHDNDRAHCH. ®Ak-U— + REOMMOY EDNTSAb—V—TH, RHORM LON CHE Fo THOS ARIE, ZO DERILSEDARTHo AFA LE NEMSIOMEMEIET WOT BREROOY, PART EVES. EK, LOWC( —-) CHLAWEIL, TOM EOMRBK, ESer dirt g DEPRETH. FCF LAMEL MUD SS LL o THLU REM AB IMASNSSE JACBCML TVET. + HASIRG OE LZ. ORRUAL EOREEBATEMRD FB. LAMDNDLDESMLBAGESSLOLV ARTY TLE RAE RMERLE Lo MAU OMMISTOMCHEAIEFIAVUGEOT, CHOOMMILD— FIFRA LEF. MAT OME OE Fo TWETS. Part 1 (98 1 WR- 45 1008) = ELC HARE BUR NS HI ifsc Part 2 (98 11 SR- 45 20 UR): EIS HASH BRO NS~N4 HS Dati Part 3 (98 21 WR- 5 32 OR): EIS A ASRIE BUR@ N5~N2 #4 Oeisie *MOVTUOBRMMIS, QTL MEORAWILE, HWERAHS LT SSOTH.4. Kanji Tables Each target kanji is presented in a table formatted as follows. O—i run even when I'm covered 9 (+). eran iva fi pies Ecsantoeust. AA (i8U4) torn BAK E940) | @ 7 SWE (5449) feast motereycle gang ms BRA (12544) escape froma prison | BRE (Lt) December © WH (€5%5) running sway | AT (%355) running; moving | DR ia Rose | ® @® Entry number The target kanji are numbered in order of their appearance in the book. @ Kanji @ Meaning (in English) @ Readings * Readings marked with > are on-yomi, or readings derived from the Chinese pronunciation of the character. Those marked with >> are Aun-yomi, or readings that represent the native Japanese word for the concept expressed by the character. * Both on-yomi and kun-yomi readings are arranged in the order of their appearance in the vocabulary list (®) of the table. * Each table presents all readings included in the Joyd Kanji list (a list of 1,945 standard kanji issued by Japan’s Ministry of Education in 1981). * On-yomi and kun-yomi readings sometimes change to assimilated or voiced sounds when the kanji appears in the middle or end of a compound. Such phonetically shifted readings are also included if the table’s vocabulary list contains words with those readings. * Readings listed in bold are ones that should be studied as part of the lesson. These are readings that appear in the shaded expressions (focus words) of the table’s vocabulary list @® Mnemonic hint * This is a short description or scenario designed to facilitate memorization of the character. The word in bold indicates the kanji’s meaning. Reading the mnemonic hint while looking at the accompanying illustration allows the user to form a mental link between the kanji’s form and meaning, making it easier to remember them. Also, kanji enclosed in parentheses in the mnemonic hint are a part of the target kanji, or are related to the target kanji. This feature was added to make new kanji easier to remember by tying them to kanji already learned. + A Japanese translation is provided for each hint. Vocabulary list This section lists expressions containing the target kanji that are frequently used or represent various readings of the target kanji. Shaded expressions are focus words that should be memorized, and are included in the workbook drills. The levels of the shaded expressions are as follows. [11]OMFOREK ORFORM OFOROMR + BEM: OL, TOMTOM FoTOAMEP KK, ELILAL-V—TARL TH Zito To WMORLOMSILT OREO LHX, Kanji Parts ORK OM Id Kanji Parts Co Fay, AWARLTOET. (Kanji Parts SOW TAH BM) RAPTURE : MILL, BAWTOCHAAARAL TOMES ET TVET. CUHELY WAIL. FOIE BMT So EAKUITT 5. Kanji Parts [COUT p. (26]—[27] I< [Kanji Parts] 9) 2b Ado) EF. Kanji Parts WED — Eb (MKB) Tay y | ZRAKCERENOOO TH. —MAVICIS MBE EMAL To BU ORILIWILS < bY ETH, = I CILAM CUMT BRIM TBVAIEIAVUGOE LT, 16 OMMEK EMIT L TES, 16 ® Kanji Parts (td. MBMWUSA~P DE GEWELI AFZAL LERITOMRE Tee LL. AMOMEDF STOMPEHOTN COME £ TOME HG ERLTHY EF. A. knife <2 strokes> 1] B40 | F203 Fil ave | Marz 6. ECUAICOUIT BRS THES. HE HBARENTVEFOC, TOMPTBMLTK KEM REORMRAD Ao TSM, DECVAEMMOETF. eRe Vy} 40 F203 fll ave Ml ata 6. Indexes © Stroke Count Index (pp.198-199) The target kanji are indexed according to their stroke count, from lowest to highest. Kanji with the same stroke count are listed in their order of appearance in the book. The entry number of each kanji is also given so that users can look up a character when they know its stroke count. © On-Kun Reading Index (pp.200-208) This index contains kanji readings arranged in a-i-u-e-o order, so it can be used to look up a particular kanji when you know at least one of its readings. The corresponding kanji and its entry number are listed next to each reading. © Kanji Shape Index (pp.209-216) Kanji are made up various parts. This index arranges the target kanji according to their key parts. To look up a particular kanji, first find its key part in the kanji parts list preceding the kanji shape index (the parts are listed in stroke-count order). Next, look for the kanji in its kanji part group in the index. Kanji 194)7, RINE (ED MMOL ERAS Silane Cae route a t= )—eMnL OH SN ATONPIY NER bay os LeMaaaerd, miNssHrae nem <>? Bes BE DECOR, eat ER ORRRREDRLT, LHEROMRES CECH, SOE Ome acoA t Lire . Ze : ." ic, ROMER LONG, AEEMOTARLED® 7 7ti3 7 OR FPN. MU THTSEE OTR ETS ee perme tet Lt. RPERAMORAT ENS boace ¢ 5, Fat thmete go ceRA HARI OT, RABMREL OETA SS LILES» bike x sich o CHBHRE, LORECEHRREBEN TES, POF CDNB oy sO OMMRIS Lom DRLTEEOs BAU UD BAT 7 77 7TH Lab cy NZOT H3—-MMBETSEWOTLE De (3) LPRMOPTRABETS s WING EIEL Keo, HE WLELS LIL, 7-777 7 Ello T LOWTRA im, PDF SARME LE LED. Ely 7777 7 ORME D , HON CHEE ea. ATSMAE TA ET. (4) RUHLHAS RAW MAUL, ENTLEVET. KOMEMLSELAWTIAL TOME STHAE GARY) BLIVTMVMTS Eb. RAW CHS 7-7 77 7 CHAM o ZIMEAK ay ORES BOC FALAWEL WAT SCENT ITSin the same group are listed in the order of their entry number. This index allows learners to use kanji parts as a reference tool for finding specific kanji. © Vocabulary index (pp.217-244) This index lists all kanji vocabulary presented in this book, in a-i-v-e-o order. The details of the word's kanji can be looked up by referring to the entry number listed alongside it 7. Methods for Studying with This Book (1) Learning kanji shapes and meanings Study the shape and meaning of each kanji presented by going over the illustration and mnemonic hint provided for it, Even kanji that seem dauntingly complex can be readily digested when broken down into their various parts. When faced with a troublesome kanji, get a better idea of its overall form by looking up its components in this book and closely examining their features. After leaming a kanji, practice writing it while referring to its stroke order shown in this book. The workbook has rows of squares that are handy for writing practice. (2) Studying kanji vocabulary After learning a particular kanji, study the accompanying list of vocabulary. Many kanji have multiple readings, and the reading used varies with the word in which the kanji appears. This means that itis necessary to leam the accompanying vocabulary in order to gain a full grip on the character's differ- ent readings. The shaded words in each vocabulary list are frequently used expressions made up of kanji that have been studied up to that point. Please be sure to solidly learn them. Also, the shaded vocabulary of each lesson are recompiled into lists in the workbook, so go over the words once more to firm up your understanding of them. (3) Reading/writing kanji in context In order to fully master the kanji vocabulary studied, use the workbook to practice reading and writing them as part of sentences. The workbook lessons also include reading material for practicing kanji reading and writing in the context of longer text. (4) Reviewing Kanji can be easily forgotten if not used regularly. While it is important to keep advancing to each new lesson, it is equally essential to frequently go back over past lessons. In the workbook, previously studied kanji reappear in the drills of later lessons, enabling users to review those characters. (15)RFITDWT : : 5 WEEP CHE SNELETT. ZORMILILVY BV? BHD SEI TIA. ACTIN 1500 4» AlLIBHNTOAL I Cho MEOHBIL, 77 FRY POE ELLE EIED, oKy AP RULES SMCH. WEIL AS 1500 VLE Hpi SWARMS EET. A ACICS KEBAGNCET. MMP RCALEAEM LOT HARE UPR PET LUOIICE A Heh 2 EFICED ELA. WME DAMEM SRT, WF DOM, NIN, THITN 2 batty DHTET. RFOR WHEW CHSOTLE IM 15 BOWEAND SNTVBHHE HV ETH. COMI HEE A Eli iis < ORME S ¢ GENTHET. EPR IZAT BY? HERE TAR NS MFI 3,099 PEGUCHo TOWT OMI LANE &OE L CHU ASE DZ: b OAHIMNBE (2,136 F) cp, DAOARER TILED 1,006 DUE (HARP) LEO PPR TRY OMMRE ORE A ERUET. FIOM DNSMEDH IGAMARECT. FF WBE EAN 500 FA FB, Repo ste EHO CVET. BRA HE 1000 FEE IMME ET. BFOBOS MEILLOLIIMEONLOTL Fare MEORY EBERT EL, HED 4 HAIG FECEMTSEF. ORURF WOBERECED SM ONTMETT © MBE HY LAM, MOMFOMAE LTH ¢ fit NSD, RFEDUAL OVABLETT & MMODRF REFORM Sg > AS ae 7K (tree) ae aS 0 => A Gay am aa ¥- i -%eKanji Basics What are kanji? Kanji are characters that were created in China. While there are various theories on their origin, the general consensus is that they were already in use by 1,500 B.C. Kanji (the Chinese characters) differ from the alphabet and other Phonographic writing systems in that they are logograms, meaning that each character holds meaning in addition to expressing sound. They are believed to have been introduced to | Japan via Korea more than 1,500 years ago. At that time, Japan did not have a writing system of its own, so the Chinese characters were adopted to write Japanese. Today, Japanese is written using a mixture of 4 kanji, hiragana, katakana, and the alphabet. How many are there? Just how many kanji exist? There are Chinese character dictionaries that list roughly 50,000 charac- ters, but most of them have fallen out of common use. Japanese newspapers and magazines employ about 3,000 kanji. Of that number, 2,136 were designated by the Japanese government as commonly used kanji—the Joyo Kanji. A total of 1,006 Joyo Kanji are taught at the elementary school level (referred to as Kydiku Kanji), and most of the remainder are taught in junior high school. Nearly 99% of the kanji appearing in newspapers and magazines are Joy Kanji. The 500 most frequently used kanji account for almost 80% of all newspaper kanji, and the 1,000 most frequently used kanji cover more than 90%, Types of Kanji How were kanji created? They can be largely divided into the following four types based on their formation. © Pictograms Some kanji are pictograms, which are characters that pictorially represent certain things. While few in number, pictographic kanji are frequently used as parts of other kanji, so they can be considered fundamental characters. Picture Early kanji Modern kanji ag A eas (tree)OMS AIT DCE AMEL UV MRM SORE EH PRE Ho TRLLMETT. a Pah cthee) et E ww eonExy ZOWAEOREL MAB DUTCH METH. >a (tree) + JK (tree) = HK (small forest) A (day; sun) + A (moon) 5A (bright) OUEXF PRAT BIL TERT MPEMARDE TH ORMETHs FDUELDNTV DRED 8 Wb DEH LERE bHDNTET. BRENT BD BEng Ba aa ( H (day; sun) + + wy (temple) = Be Y) (time) 7 (hand) + + (Y) (temple) = TF (to hold) B (wosy) + Fe (temple) = 2 (3) (poem) HCOLFIMUATE(, MTVSHIZSMALS< Money, " Ba RMT I ERETH. EC ATABEV KC OPOMPBGSNACEMHAYV ES, Jepe, BK DRFISBTOMAGDETTETVETF. TOMIODI 5, MEOMME Nd 0 ORV pe [BUI (radical) EHFUES. MALRFOMOLLMICE, TOUCH SIEMTSET. [ALP IAY EL, TNAKAMBATEHY, MhOMETIASIOL“, [4 P(Iee, Marcimeicy bEVLOMDD ET. ® Ll fi (AA left) —aevoncovizer, fA RE BE ® = (At) : top) es DE & @ [pe] BL : bottom) 5B OPA OB FLU ese :evcisur) El A © FE & Cet: upper tet Iki EB © [EY & (ez 5 : tower tet HEBER © [Bf # 65 signe 3 Hh 3A Tam¢ Simple ideograms These are kanji that use dots and lines to represent numbers and abstract concepts that would be difficult to depict with pictograms. > © Compound ideograms These are kanji formed from the combination of two or more kanji. — (three) in ae Pn ac: (up) J . (tree) + IK. (tree) PAK (scvall forest) HB (day; sun) ++ A (moon) = BA (bright) ¢ Phonetic-ideographic characters These kanji are made up of an clement that expresses meaning and an element that represents a sound. It is said that more than 80% of the kanji used today fall into this category. Meaning part 8 (day; sun) q (hand) oD (to say) Radicals Sound part On-yomi hy 3 (temple) = BF (time) ate + i> (temple) = + (to hold) + + (temple) = = BY (poem) * This is an example of the many cases where the sound part of a phonetic- ideographic kanji is used to represent a slightly different sound. Close inspection of even the most intricate kanji reveals that they are made up of several simpler Parts. In fact, the vast majority of kanji are combinations of various subunits. The part that is most closely tied to the character's meaning is called a radical. Depending on their position within a kanji, the radicals are classified into the seven categories indicated below, Some radicals can stand on their own as kanji, such as A and 7K, while others like 4 and “ are not used as independent characters. ® i Left (hen) This isthe most common type of radical. 4S RE 36 @ FB top ckanmuriy FRR ® [my Bottom (ashi) J # ZR ef ni o [Ly eenctosure (Aamae) BHEw © A upper left (tare) IK a EB © LU Lower left (nd) Be © [J iat cout | @h 3ARFORH IABP CHRD TSRLEOM PE, AKIN —IOIFIE~—9 OHA LitoTustA, Lipp LAM ONEOS(EWMOBAEK TVET. MEORALIE [HRA (Chinese readings) | [NA Vapanese readings) | O 2 Misa 9 ET. BERRA: TAAL T EAR a CAE PRET PICT CREE CORA I Eo Tg WHOTRALHOMEMD SOIL, PUIETCHHEE ZEMUIRA EY BIEL Ty pig TORAE. HATA OE LEU THSD STs EAI TAS DMAP vie fyy lay gtay [yr Jiba7J £9 BRIM o THB 5 bo tiga ot. DURA: AIRE PMB, WETRATREN TELL. “H. THI Cia HAM ARO TING REE Mo THEI E LAME EENLOAM RA Cy BRD. PERIETALIE OL (person) ” EV} MHORF SOT, COMFELOE | Eyes EFEV ELL. RFOBEA eRAAOKA MOREMS LARADSAA MOMEM CE SLLMSPNMa ES, O KP btN ae @ Lao EN |: eRORHVAOMA @ £% (stop) dp xvevomp Ebest. @ tk5> (stretch) A AY EIOTILAIIL OV ET. @ Ia (hook) BR AY Bik CRAM ET. om zMORA O Lab FS Sona Set EAE. Oko Moo nm) REF SWE + (-+) @ Kea RIED Ay Cl ao) O Bese SIA, FAL Poneels alee Boa onmee) OM LAIMA Wo vow) ER 6 ODHAIMY TEE SEVEOLHSYV ET. MAMIE CH WGI Hse tes NCELMEBCH. WEOWEMADEDILY, HRABA SEDI, MMULAWCH. MLW CHO OORFS ELV MEM CHES LILA EL £ FoKanji Readings Chinese characters as used in China generally have one reading. In contrast, most Japanese kanji s multiple readings, which are divided into on-yomi (Chinese readings) and kun-yomi (Japanese readings). pos: On-yomi; These readings are derived from the pronunciations used in China in the distant past, more than a millennium ago in some cases. The reason why certain kanji have multiple on-yomi is that temporal and regional variances in the Chinese pronunciation were imported along with the characters, For example, the on-yomi of A are nin and jin; nin was the reading initially introduced to Japan, while jin was adopted in a later era. Kun-yomi: When Chinese characters were transplanted to Japan, they were read with only the Chinese pronunciations at first. Since this limited the range of expression for the Japanese language, kanji started to also be used for writing native Japanese words corresponding to the characters’ meaning, marking the birth of the Awn-yomi. As one example, the kanji A means “person,” so it came to also be read as hito, the corresponding Japanese word. Writing Kanji ¢ Basic stroke directions Horizontal strokes are written from left to right. Vertical strokes are written from top to bottom. © Left to right os ® Top to bottom | 4 e Basic stroke endings @® Stop (tome) & The pen is stopped sharply. @® Swetch (harai) As The pen is gently lifted to create a sweeping stroke end @ Hook (hane) A The pen is stopped and then pulled backward to make a hook. Basic stroke order {a GSS CEL") @® Horizontal strokes precede intersecting vertical strokes ort) @® Top to bottom —S @ Left to right @® Center strokes precede smaller side strokes N Ne lulls) ® Enclosures come first, but the bottom stroke is written last El (1 OoMree ) © Piercing strokes are written last w (1 mew) There are some exceptions to the six rules noted above. The stroke orders are considered the easiest way to write kanji right-handed, and a proper knowledge of them is important for writing well- structured characters and counting strokes. Try to learn each kanji in its correct stroke order. (21)JAYICKO FOR PHY LoTMEAM so THABLEMHV ET. EK, FMS OMED, Ate kotiay RO. BMLAED LT, AKOWEED LRG MAA DET. ale BORE PRGA ayy ot FRE st dt dt tt & ke & & » K A rx ce aby > We RFORBOEUA HU CREE MAS IIL, UF OSD HLA YET. 1. RABPSBAS WALVIEORAT (FRAT H MRATEDEOELA) Ab pay ZORA D OIELMNS CLMTR ET. 5 2, MAPSMAS — WOM ADHNIL, TOBUEHMED AP POM Ries, RFIEATALT. 3. BEPSBNS «BATS MTOHPOTVE SL, MEORMUDOM 1. RADDS fet levi itabasbmriud, ThPOMAONES. (RAHA TH. HM TS SBS EHV ET. [ht OAM ORI EI LE Py PEAIO[EA| TH. COMER [EA | LATS.) 2. RAPS CORFOBALAI(BALSA) CEOMKIE3 TH. COMME, MAIO AbOPPORLMLET. TLC [kel (tal Oy EGCRTFOVAbPSMWF ONES. 3. BHDS BMMEMAEF. [HELIA SMTT AS, SMOMFOMAS Fee) eR LINLEF. ORB EBRD CONT AHL, MEL OCA THAET. TOVHALOWMPE [HK MH) LHVEF. HEA, [HNEFIO([NEFIARO RACH. MFEUASE A, [HJ OM FO BAA I PIRI OM, EML THA SLED YET. BO MAG SMMC Lot MIODT, RELUASLE SIHEBL THA ELE G6 wm: i< fide wam: Kav KaC HY xe fhe kev eq evsFont-based Variations in Form The shape of kanji in print often varies according to the font used, sometimes to the point that the same kanji can appear to be a completely different character. Also, handwritten kanji may diverge slightly from their printed form, as some writers tend to use cursive styles or abbreviate parts of characters. Ky6kasho font Minché font Goshikku font Handwriting if ib dt th R & XR rn aby iy we > R&S he it 3t & Xx Using Kanji Dictionaries There are three keys for looking up characters in a kanji dictionary, as described below. 1. Reading If you know at least one of the target character's readings (on-yomi or kun-yomi), you can use it to find the character in the dictionary’s reading index. 2. Radical If you know character’s radical, you can search for the target character in the dictio- nary’s listings of kanji with the same radical. 3. Stroke count In cases where you don’t know the target character’s reading or radical, count its strokes and look for it in the dictionary’s listings of kanji with the same stroke count. Some electronic dictionaries have a stylus that allows the user to look up kanji by writing it on the screen. 1. Reading If you know that # is read sei, you can use this clue to find the character in the dictionary’s reading index. Even if you don’t know the reading of a certain kanji, you may be able to guess it sometimes. In this example, the right part of #£ is the same 4 found in #44 (gakuset). Since is usually read as sei, you could infer that 3 is also read sei. 2. Radical The radical of ££ is % (onna-hen), which consists of three strokes. Look for this radical in the dictionary’s index of three-stroke radicals in order to locate the listing of all kanji with the onna-hen radical. Next, go to that group and scan for #. 3. Stroke count Count the number of strokes. # is made up of eight strokes, so you would search for it among the dictionary’s listing of 8-stroke kanji. Okurigana Adjectives, verbs, and other conjugated words are written with kanji and hiragana. The hiragana portion is called okurigana. For instance, the okurigana of REF is SEF. When learning kanji, you need to pay attention to the extent of their readings, such as whether € is read as fa or as tabe. This point needs to be kept in mind for cach kanji, since the extent of the okurigana portion of conjugated words varies with every kanji. we: 7h fiphn Wan: kav KAGE {XB fxm Ken eC te 23RPRRBEVb ECOMPL, GORE RT BTL RAD ERI MARE HO TET. FS te iD ya Id, TOWICAENTHS, HERI MPERLTAE LI Fo AUTRALT Mercy py nt t. AR RE OE Bee TRAILTAT [44 J + & BE veseeeee PRALTAT IS ROR AP OA ALTA TItT OME, PPK (AY TA IOLICES SORES HRAILTS CEMBUT Hye BHAA Smut Ald, EFARALTASEVVTL EF. LALFOMDE 5 (2, Bs bone EMBATROMSP, GRAAL MRADULS SMH ET. f Bw (e- £2) FRR CC: aH) <® + HI> ARB Oey) RRA (x4 £2) SPR ya) GARGS hy) REOPTORORAE BARC, SOMLOML OU CHAMEMOB BIC SHIT Joo. eS Mel RSMANDY ES. EK [~~ I~ SI RLOMOKEMOMAC BL, Ty) PSAs oJERSSMBA HV EF, CHOORCMEABE SIS Bm, wa LeMBtd ) EtA. ELACOMM TIL, MEO (MAHIION SOREL irittues YEtA. : PSCRET SBE : FAT (p23) + BH vee) = RATS () ecb dL S) PAIR ( ze He E » All are read sei in their on-yomi + BF % fF seeeees All are read ji in their on-yomi. wo MW Ht ¢ Kanji compound All are read sei in their on-yomi. Both characters in a kanji compound are usually read in their on-yomi, such as the reading on-gaku of #%, so when you don’t know the reading of a compound, first try the on-yomi of its kanji. However, note that there are compounds in which one or both kanji are read with the kun-yomi, as seen in the examples below. kun + kun: ABBY (na+ mac) — HK (te - gami) on + kun ARB (HON ya) BRAT (EKI- mae) kun + on: 357M (ba SHO) EAR (furu HON) Phonetic Shifts in Compounds In compound words, the component words that do not come at the start of the compound sometimes shift to voiced sounds —that is, the diacritical mark (”) is added to the component’s first syllable. Also, certain sounds like su, ku, and ki sometimes become a small su when they end a component word preceding another component word. However, there are no clear rules for when these phonetic shifts occur. Most kanji dictionaries do not list the shifted pronunciations among the character’s readings. Examples of shifting to voiced sounds ( “ ) HEAT (ryoko) + BFL (haishay + — HATBIL (rvokogaisha) travel company travel agency SLGR (benkys) + WL (tsukue) FAFBAL (benkyozukuey study desk study desk 4 Examples of shifting to small ¢su (2) BG (hyaku) + TD (kai) + BED (hyakkai) ‘one hundred ~ times ‘one hundred times Fl (betsu) + BR (sekai) BIER (hessekai) different world another world ee