Hand actions 2

Tap an example word to hear it pronounced.

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.

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).

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Grey - another building block, with no clear meaning or sound role.

#1

Meaning

squeeze, extract, exploit

Components

On'yomi

サク

Kun'yomi

しぼ(る)

Example words
搾取さくしゅ

exploitation

圧搾あっさく

pressing, compression

搾るしぼる

to squeeze, to milk

#2

Meaning

rub, scrape, chafe

Components

On'yomi

サツ

Kun'yomi

す(る) | す(れる)

Example words
摩擦まさつ

friction

擦過傷さっかしょう

abrasion, scratch

擦るする

to rub, to scrape

#3

Meaning

palm of the hand; control

Components

On'yomi

ショウ

Kun'yomi

てのひら

Example words
車掌しゃしょう

conductor (train)

掌握しょうあく

grasp, control

合掌がっしょう

pressing palms together

#4

Meaning

take in, absorb; act for

Components

On'yomi

セツ

Kun'yomi

おさ(める)

Example words
摂取せっしゅ

intake, ingestion

摂氏せっし

Celsius

摂政せっしょう

regency

#5

Meaning

set aside; take (measures)

Components

On'yomi

Kun'yomi

お(く)

Example words
措置そち

measure, step

措辞そじ

wording, diction

挙措きょそ

conduct, behavior

#6

Meaning

reject, exclude; discharge

Components

On'yomi

ハイ

Example words
排除はいじょ

exclusion, removal

排水はいすい

drainage

排気はいき

exhaust (gas)

#7

Meaning

raise, hoist; deep-fry

Components

On'yomi

ヨウ

Kun'yomi

あ(げる)

Example words
掲揚けいよう

hoisting (a flag)

抑揚よくよう

intonation, modulation

揚げるあげる

to raise; to deep-fry

#8

Meaning

shake, sway, swing

Components

On'yomi

ヨウ

Kun'yomi

ゆ(れる) | ゆ(る)

Example words
動揺どうよう

agitation, unrest

揺れるゆれる

to shake, to sway

揺さぶるゆさぶる

to shake, to jolt

#9

Meaning

embrace; hold, possess

Components

On'yomi

ヨウ

Example words
擁護ようご

protection, advocacy

抱擁ほうよう

embrace, hug

擁立ようりつ

backing (a candidate)

#10

Meaning

hold down, suppress, restrain

Components

On'yomi

ヨク

Kun'yomi

おさ(える)

Example words
抑制よくせい

control, restraint

抑圧よくあつ

oppression, suppression

抑えるおさえる

to hold down, to restrain

Practice

Test yourself on this lesson's kanji.