Speech & feelings

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

stuff, cram; press for answer

Components

On'yomi

キツ

Kun'yomi

つ(める) | つ(まる)

Example words
詰問きつもん

cross-examination

缶詰かんづめ

canned food

詰めるつめる

to stuff, to pack

#2

Meaning

be proud, boast

Components

On'yomi

Kun'yomi

ほこ(る)

Example words
誇張こちょう

exaggeration

誇大こだい

exaggerated, grandiose

誇るほこる

to be proud of

#3

Meaning

detailed, minute

Components

On'yomi

ショウ

Kun'yomi

くわ(しい)

Example words
詳細しょうさい

details, particulars

詳述しょうじゅつ

detailed explanation

詳しいくわしい

detailed; well-informed

#4

Meaning

sue; appeal, complain

Components

On'yomi

Kun'yomi

うった(える)

Example words
訴訟そしょう

lawsuit, litigation

起訴きそ

prosecution, indictment

訴えるうったえる

to appeal, to sue

#5

Meaning

honor, reputation, praise

Components

On'yomi

Kun'yomi

ほま(れ) | ほ(める)

Example words
名誉めいよ

honor, prestige

栄誉えいよ

glory, honor

誉れほまれ

honor, glory

#6

Meaning

song, ballad; Noh chant

Components

On'yomi

ヨウ

Kun'yomi

うた(う) | うた(い)

Example words
民謡みんよう

folk song

童謡どうよう

children's song

歌謡かよう

song, ballad

#7

Meaning

remember, recollect

Components

On'yomi

オク

Example words
記憶きおく

memory

追憶ついおく

recollection

憶測おくそく

guess, speculation

#8

Meaning

blessing, favor, grace

Components

On'yomi

ケイ | エ

Kun'yomi

めぐ(む)

Example words
恩恵おんけい

blessing, benefit

知恵ちえ

wisdom

恵まれるめぐまれる

to be blessed with

#9

Meaning

constant, permanent

Components

On'yomi

コウ

Kun'yomi

つね

Example words
恒久こうきゅう

permanence, eternity

恒星こうせい

fixed star

恒例こうれい

customary, annual

#10

Meaning

miserable, tragic, cruel

Components

On'yomi

サン | ザン

Kun'yomi

みじ(め) | むご(い)

Example words
悲惨ひさん

miserable, tragic

惨事さんじ

disaster, tragedy

惨めみじめ

miserable, wretched

#11

Meaning

consider, deliberate

Components

On'yomi

リョ

Kun'yomi

おもんぱか(る)

Example words
考慮こうりょ

consideration

遠慮えんりょ

reserve, restraint

配慮はいりょ

consideration, care

Practice

Test yourself on this lesson's kanji.