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

lacquer, varnish

Components

On'yomi

シツ

Kun'yomi

うるし

Example words
漆器しっき

lacquerware

漆黒しっこく

jet black

漆塗りうるしぬり

lacquer coating

#2

Meaning

soup, juice, broth

Components

On'yomi

ジュウ

Kun'yomi

しる

Example words
果汁かじゅう

fruit juice

汁物しるもの

soup dish

味噌汁みそしる

miso soup

#3

Meaning

astringent; hesitate; tasteful

Components

On'yomi

ジュウ

Kun'yomi

しぶ(い)

Example words
渋滞じゅうたい

traffic jam, congestion

苦渋くじゅう

distress, difficulty

渋いしぶい

astringent; tasteful

#4

Meaning

graceful, ladylike, pure

Components

On'yomi

シュク

Kun'yomi

しと(やか)

Example words
淑女しゅくじょ

lady, gentlewoman

貞淑ていしゅく

chastity, feminine virtue

私淑ししゅく

admiring and modeling oneself on

#5

Meaning

cross over; be involved

Components

On'yomi

ショウ

Kun'yomi

わた(る)

Example words
交渉こうしょう

negotiation

干渉かんしょう

interference

渉外しょうがい

external liaison

#6

Meaning

clean, pure

Components

On'yomi

ジョウ

Kun'yomi

きよ(い)

Example words
浄化じょうか

purification

清浄せいじょう

clean, pure

洗浄せんじょう

washing, cleansing

#7

Meaning

harbor, ferry; overflow

Components

On'yomi

シン

Kun'yomi

Example words
津波つなみ

tsunami

津々浦々つつうらうら

all over the country

興味津々きょうみしんしん

burning with curiosity

#8

Meaning

gradually, steadily

Components

On'yomi

ゼン

Example words
漸次ぜんじ

gradually

漸進ぜんしん

gradual progress

漸増ぜんぞう

gradual increase

#9

Meaning

calm, peaceful; great

Components

On'yomi

タイ

Example words
安泰あんたい

peace, security

泰然たいぜん

calm, composed

泰斗たいと

leading authority

#10

Meaning

wash, rinse

Components

On'yomi

タク

Kun'yomi

すす(ぐ)

Example words
洗濯せんたく

laundry

洗濯機せんたくき

washing machine

濯ぐすすぐ

to rinse

Practice

Test yourself on this lesson's kanji.