A Kanji a Day

Kanji for “Closed” and “To Close”: 閉 (to-jiru / shi-meru)

The Japanese kanji for “Close” (“shut”) or “to close” is 閉. The kun’yomi (Japanese reading) pronunciation of the Kanji 閉 is “to” (と), as in words “to-jiru” (と-じる) “to-zasu” (と-ざす) “shi-meru” (し-める). The on’yomi (Chinese reading) pronunciation of 閉 is “hei” (ヘイ). 閉 is used in 58 Japanese names, and in names, it is pronounced as “he” (ヘ). The Kanji

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Kanji for “Open” and “To Open”: 開 (a-keru / hira-ku)

The Japanese kanji for “Open” is 開. The kun’yomi (Japanese reading) pronunciation of the Kanji 開 is “hira” (ひら), as in words “hira-keru” (ひら-ける) and “hira-ku” (ひら-く) or “a-keru” (あ-ける), and the on’yomi (Chinese reading) pronunciation of 開 is “kai” (カイ). The Kanji 開 is widely used in Japanese names and is a part of 833 names. However, in names,

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Kanji for “Gate”: 門 (kado / mon)

The Japanese kanji for “Gate” is 門. Please note that 門 typically represents larger gates or doorways, often implying a formal entrance that is part of larger structures or complexes. 門 is used to denote gateways, archways, or large doors that lead into compounds, schools, temples, or any significant buildings or enclosed spaces. The imagery of 門 conveys a sense

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Kanji for “Door”: 戸

The Japanese kanji for “Door” is 戸. Please note that The Kanji 戸 (と / to) primarily refers to doors, with a focus on single swinging or sliding doors typical of traditional Japanese architecture, but its use is not exclusively limited to single doors. 戸 symbolizes a door that is part of a household or building, emphasizing the entrance to

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Kanji for “Divide”, “Minute”, “Understand”: 分

The Japanese kanji meaning “Divide,” “Minute,” or “to understand” is 分. The kun’yomi (Japanese reading) pronunciation of the Kanji 分 is “wa” (わ), as in words “wakeru” (わける), meaning “to divide” or “to distinguish“; wakareru (わかれる), meaning “to be divided“; wakaru (わかる), meaning “to understand“; wakatsu (わかつ), meaning “to share” or “distribute.” The on’yomi (Chinese reading) pronunciations of 分 are

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Kanji Meaning “See”: 見 (Mi)

The Japanese kanji meaning “to see” or “look at” is 見. The kun’yomi (Japanese reading) pronunciation of the Kanji 見 is “mi” (み), as in words “mi-ru” (み-る) meaning “see,” “mi-seru” (み-せる) meaning “can see,” and “mi-eru” (み-える) meaning “to show.” The on’yomi (Chinese reading) pronunciation of 見 is “ken” (ケン). The Kanji 見 is constructed with 7 strokes. 見

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Kanji for Eye: 目 (me/(め)

The Japanese kanji for “eye” is 目. The kun’yomi (Japanese reading) pronunciations of the Kanji 目 are “me” or (め) “ma” (ま), and the on’yomi (Chinese reading) pronunciations of 目 are “moku “(モク) or “boku” (ボク). The Kanji 行, for “eye”, appears in 1,450 Japanese names, and in that case, it is pronounced Sakan (さかん), sagan (さがん), sakka (さっか) or

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Kanji for “To Go”: 行 (i-ku / yu-ku / okona-u)

The Japanese kanji meaning “go” is 行. This Kanji for “go” also means “to carry out”. The kun’yomi (Japanese reading) pronunciations of the Kanji 行 are “i-ku” (い-く), “yu-ku” (ゆ-く), and “okona-u” (おこな-う). The on’yomi (Chinese reading) pronunciations of 行 are “ko” (コウ), “gyo” (ギョウ), and “an” (アン). The Kanji 行, for “go“, appears in 1,722 Japanese names, and in

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Kanji for Small, Tiny, Slight: 小

The Japanese kanji for “small” is 小, which also means “Tiny” or “Slight“. The kun’yomi (Japanese reading) pronunciation of the Kanji 小 are “o” (お), “ko” (こ), or “chii-sai” (ちい-さい). The on’yomi (Chinese reading) pronunciation of 小 is “sho” (ショウ). The Kanji 小, meaning small, appears in 10,140 Japanese names, and in that case, it is pronounced as “isara” (いさら),

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Kanji for High, Tall, Expensive: 高 (Taka-i)

The Japanese kanji 高 means “High,” “Tall,” or “Expensive.” The kun’yomi (Japanese reading) pronunciation of the Kanji 高 is “taka” (たか) as in the words taka-i (たか-い), taka-maru (たか-まる), and taka-meru (たか-める). The on’yomi (Chinese reading) pronunciation of 高 is “ko” (コウ). The Kanji 高 for “tall” or “high” frequently appears in Japanese names, and in that case, it is

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