People & society
Tap an example word to hear it pronounced.
On'yomi & Kun'yomi
On'yomi (音読み) is the reading borrowed from Chinese, usually used in compound words, e.g. 三月 (さんがつ, March).
Kun'yomi (訓読み) is the native Japanese reading, used when the kanji stands alone or takes kana endings, e.g. 三つ (みっつ, three items).
By convention the readings list writes on'yomi in katakana (シュ) and kun'yomi in hiragana (さけ). Example words show furigana in hiragana, so the same on'yomi can look like シュ in the list but しゅ in a word.
What the component colors mean
Blue - the main radical the kanji is filed under in dictionaries.
Green - a component that hints at the meaning.
Orange - a component that hints at the reading (sound).
Grey - another building block, with no clear meaning or sound role.
private (institution)
private railway
public and private
the masses, general public
spectators, audience
the people, populace
employee
obedience, submission
to follow, to obey
finding employment
taking office
to take up (a position)
hometown
local, native place
one’s hometown
Meaning
revere, respect; noble
Components
On'yomi
ソン
Kun'yomi
たっと（い） | とうと（い）
respect, esteem
respect, valuing
precious, noble
the Bible, scripture
holy, sacred
sacred flame (Olympic)
various countries
everyone, gentlemen
archipelago
haiku poem
actor, actress
haiku poet
victory, championship
excellent, superior
gentle, kind
Practice
Test yourself on this lesson's kanji.