Japan Corner

The Japanese kanji for “big” or “large” is 大. The Kanji 大 is constructed with 3 strokes. It is part of the JLPT N5 syllabus (please check the JLPT N5 Kanji list). In Japanese schools, this Kanji is taught in grade 1. This article will discuss the origin of the Kanji for “Big” and easy ways to remember it. We

The Kanji for Stand up or to stand as a verb is 立. The kanji 立 has a few pronunciations in Japanese. They are: The appropriate reading is determined by the context in which the kanji appears. For instance, the word 立つ (to stand; to rise; to stand up) is read as “tatsu.” In the word 立法 (legislation), it’s read

The kanji for “book” is “本“. In modern usage, 本 primarily signifies “book.” However, the Kanji 本 also denotes the origin or basis of something and can also mean “origin,” “basis,” “main,” or “true,” depending on context. The book’s Kanji is constructed with 4 strokes. It is part of the JLPT N5 syllabus (please check the list of JLPT N5

The kanji for forest or jungle in Japanese is 森 (mori). This character is essentially a visual representation of a forest. The Kunyomi or the Japanese pronunciation of the Kanji 森 is mori (もり), and the Onyomi (Chinese) pronunciation is shin (シン). Forest’s Kanji is constructed with 12 strokes. It is a part of the JLPT N2 syllabus. In Japanese

The Japanese kanji for “grove”, a “group of trees,” or “small woodland” is 林. The Kunyomi or the Japanese pronunciation of the Kanji 林 is “hayashi” (はやし), and the Onyomi (Chinese) pronunciation is “rin” (リン). Grove’s Kanji is constructed with 8 strokes. This Kanji is a part of the JLPT N2 syllabus. In Japanese schools, this Kanji is taught in

The Japanese kanji for “tree” is 木. The Kunyomi or the Japanese pronunciation of the Kanji 木 is “ki” (き) or “ko” (こ), and the Onyomi (Chinese) pronunciation is “boku” (ボク) or “moku” (モク). In compounded words, the pronunciation is often changed to “gi,” “moku,” “boku,” “ko,” or “mo.” An example of such words that most foreigners know is the

The kanji for “mountain” in Japanese is 山. The Kunyomi, or the Japanese pronunciation of the Kanji 山 is yama (やま). The Onyomi (Chinese) pronunciation of this Kanji is san (サン), when used in compound words like “Fujisan” (Mt. Fuji) or “Hakusan” (Mt. Haku). The onyomi, or Chinese reading, is “san” or “zan.” Mountain’s Kanji is constructed with 3 strokes.

The Japanese kanji for the river is 川. The Kunyomi or the Japanese pronunciation of the Kanji 川 is “kawa” (かわ), and the Onyomi (Chinese) pronunciation is “sen” (セン). Please note that though in isolation, 川 is pronounced as “kawa; however, in compound words or names, it can often be pronounced as “gawa.” For example, the word 江戸川, which stands

The kanji for “Woman” is 女. The Kunyomi or the Japanese pronunciations of the Kanji 女 are “onna” (おんな) and “me” (め), and the Onyomi (Chinese) pronunciations are “jo” (ジョ), “nyo” (ニョ), and “nyo” (ニョウ). Please note that the pronunciation for 女 “me” or “jo” are in compound words. Woman’s Kanji is constructed with 3 strokes. This Kanji is a