Power & shelter

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

censure, impeach

Components

On'yomi

ガイ

Example words
弾劾だんがい

impeachment

弾劾裁判だんがいさいばん

impeachment trial

弾劾決議だんがいけつぎ

impeachment resolution

#2

Meaning

meritorious deed; decoration

Components

On'yomi

クン

Kun'yomi

いさお

Example words
勲章くんしょう

medal, decoration

勲功くんこう

distinguished service

殊勲しゅくん

distinguished service

#3

Meaning

imperial edict

Components

On'yomi

チョク

Example words
勅令ちょくれい

imperial edict

勅使ちょくし

imperial messenger

詔勅しょうちょく

imperial rescript

#4

Meaning

commoners; illegitimate

Components

On'yomi

ショ

Example words
庶民しょみん

the masses, common people

庶務しょむ

general affairs

庶子しょし

illegitimate child

#5

Meaning

abolish, discard; decline

Components

On'yomi

ハイ

Kun'yomi

すた(れる)

Example words
廃止はいし

abolition, repeal

廃棄はいき

disposal, abandonment

荒廃こうはい

ruin, dilapidation

#6

Meaning

ordinary, mediocre

Components

On'yomi

ヨウ

Example words
凡庸ぼんよう

mediocre, ordinary

中庸ちゅうよう

moderation, the mean

登庸とうよう

appointment, promotion

#7

Meaning

follow, circulate

Components

On'yomi

ジュン

Example words
循環じゅんかん

circulation, cycle

循環器じゅんかんき

circulatory organ

悪循環あくじゅんかん

vicious circle

#8

Meaning

penetrate, be thorough

Components

On'yomi

テツ

Example words
徹底てってい

thoroughness

徹夜てつや

staying up all night

貫徹かんてつ

accomplishment, carrying through

#9

Meaning

bowstring; string (instrument)

Components

On'yomi

ゲン

Kun'yomi

つる

Example words
弦楽器げんがっき

stringed instrument

上弦じょうげん

first quarter moon

管弦楽かんげんがく

orchestral music

#10

Meaning

condole, mourn

Components

On'yomi

チョウ

Kun'yomi

とむら(う)

Example words
弔問ちょうもん

condolence call

弔辞ちょうじ

funeral address, eulogy

弔うとむらう

to mourn, to condole

Practice

Test yourself on this lesson's kanji.