Sake & fermentation

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

cruel, harsh, severe

Components

On'yomi

コク

Kun'yomi

ひど(い)

Example words
酷似こくじ

close resemblance

残酷ざんこく

cruelty, brutality

過酷かこく

severe, harsh

#2

Meaning

vinegar

Components

On'yomi

サク

Kun'yomi

Example words
酢酸さくさん

acetic acid

甘酢あまず

sweet vinegar

酢の物すのもの

vinegared dish

#3

Meaning

pour (sake); consider

Components

On'yomi

シャク

Kun'yomi

く(む)

Example words
酌量しゃくりょう

consideration, allowance

晩酌ばんしゃく

evening drink (with dinner)

媒酌ばいしゃく

matchmaking

#4

Meaning

reward, repay

Components

On'yomi

シュウ

Kun'yomi

むく(いる)

Example words
報酬ほうしゅう

reward, remuneration

応酬おうしゅう

exchange (of words/blows)

献酬けんしゅう

exchanging cups (of sake)

#5

Meaning

ugly, unsightly, shameful

Components

On'yomi

シュウ

Kun'yomi

みにく(い)

Example words
醜態しゅうたい

unsightly behavior

醜聞しゅうぶん

scandal

醜いみにくい

ugly

#6

Meaning

brew; bring about

Components

On'yomi

ジョウ

Kun'yomi

かも(す)

Example words
醸造じょうぞう

brewing

醸成じょうせい

fostering, bringing about

醸すかもす

to brew; to cause

#7

Meaning

dairy products

Components

On'yomi

ラク

Example words
酪農らくのう

dairy farming

乳酪にゅうらく

dairy (products)

酪農家らくのうか

dairy farmer

Practice

Test yourself on this lesson's kanji.