This is a partial table of hiragana. This shows the basic characters. The pronunciation is given above each character. See thepronunciation pagefor more information on how to pronounce the sounds.

To see how to write each of the hiragana gohere.

These are the characters used to form Japanese words. Hiragana is kind of like the Japanese alphabet. Unlike the English alphabet, however, every Japanese character has the exact same sound as it's name and most characters are made of a consonant sound followed by a vowel. This makes it less of an 'alphabet' and more of a 'syllabary'.The Japanese also use two other character sets. The one for foriegn words is calledkatakanaand the one with characters which represent words or parts of words (not sounds) is called kanji.

Hiragana Writinga i u e oa: This is pronounced similarly to the 'a' in 'awful'.

i: This is pronounced similarly to the 'ee' in 'feet'.

u: This is pronounced similarly to the 'oo' in 'mood'.

e: This is pronounced similarly to the 'e' in 'met'.

o: This is pronounced similarly to the 'o' in 'cold' .

Some words you can now read in Japanese:blue (n.)good

housenephew

nopicture (n.)

up, above, over, on toplove (n.)

This is a partial table of katakana. This shows the basic characters. The pronunciation is given above each character. See thepronunciation pagefor more information on how to pronounce the sounds.

To see how to write each of the katakana gohere.

These are the characters used to form words that have foreign origins. Non-Japanese names are written in katakana. Sometimes it is also used as a replacement for "difficult" kanji or for emphasis. Animal and fruit names are often written in katakana for these reasons.Katakana is like hiragana in that every basic character has the exact same sound as its name. However, since there are more sounds in foreign words than in Japanese, katakana has more characters and combinations than hiragana does.Together, hiragana and katakana are called the 'kana.'

Katakana WritingKatakanais the set of characters that is used toform words that have foreign origins. Non-Japanese names are written inkatakana. Sometimes it is also used as a replacement for "difficult" kanji or for emphasis. Animal and fruit names are often written inkatakanafor these reasons.Katakanais likehiraganain that every basic character has the exact same sound as its name. However, since there are more sounds in foreign words than in Japanese,katakanahas more characters and combinations thanhiraganadoes. One important character that is only used inkatakanais thechouon.chouon: Thiskatakanacharacter does not have its own pronunciation. It is used to extend the vowel sound that comes before it.Inhiragana, if you wanted to extend theasound in a word, you would write an additionalacharacter. Inkatakana, this is done using thechouoninstead. Thechouoncan be used to extend any vowel sound.

The spelling ofkatakanawords of foreign origins is supposed to be based on pronunciation. The sounds are generally matched to words as most Japanese hear them. Unfortunately, there are some limitations. Aside from the charactern, every character inkatakanais made of a vowel attached to a consonant. This means that where there should be two consonants next to one another in a foriegn word, there is a vowel between them in the Japanese version of the word. Also, since Japanese has only five vowel sounds, and a limited number of consonants, substitutions are often made with the "closest" sound, sometimes making the words sound very little like the original. There is also the problem that somekatakanawords have been based on the spelling of the word instead of the pronunciation.Please note, also, that NOT all words inkatakanacome from English. In recent times, the majority of imported words in Japanese come from English, however, this was not always the case. There are many words that have been imported from Portuguese, Dutch, or German. There are, for example, two words for "glass" in Japanese. One isgarasuand the other isgurasu.Garasucomes from Dutch, and means only glass the substance.Gurasucomes from English and means only 'a cup made of glass.'Remember thatkatakanawords arenotactually the words that they are based on. Try not to be tempted to use their original pronunciation as a substitute. Often, the original word sounds so different from the Japanese version that it is completely unrecognizable to Japanese ears.Some general rules for rendering English words into katakana:In words that contain an r sound after a vowel, the katakana word usually just extends the vowel sound.Ex: mark -> ma-ku (The - in these examples represents the chouon, above.)Ex: fork -> fo-ku The v sound is generally replaced by the b sound.Ex: video -> bideo D and t, when they do not have a vowel after them, are usually replaced withdoandto,respectively.Ex: dress -> doresu Ex: contest -> kontesuto The "j" sound, when it doesn't have a vowel after it, is usually replaced withji.Ex: orange -> orenji The other single consonant sounds, when they do not have a vowel after them, are usually replaced with the appropriate consonant followed by u. (Some notable exceptions to this are the words cake and steak, which turn into ke-ki and sute-ki.)Ex: class -> kurasu Ex: club -> kurabu Ex: home -> ho-mu L and r are both replaced with characters from thera ri ru re roline of the katakana table.Ex: milk -> miruku Ex: room -> ru-mu The "see" sound is generally replaced withshi. (The newer combination of aseorsucharacter followed by a half-sizeduis used in some words.)Ex: sink -> shinku The tu sound is generally replaced with chu. (The newer combination of thetocharacter followed by a half-sizeduis used in some words.)Ex: tube -> chu-bu The soft "th" sound is replaced with characters from thesa shi su se sorow of the katakana table.Ex: thank you -> sankyu- Ex: bath -> basu The hard "th" sound is replaced with characters from theza ji zu ze zorow of the katakana table.Ex: weather -> ueza- Since the only w sound in Japanese iswa, all other w sounds are generally replaced withu.Ex: wine -> wain Ex: waiter -> ue-ta- Ex: whisky -> uisuki- Words that have a short vowel followed by a consonant will often double the consonant. (This is not the case when the consonant is n.)Ex: truck -> torakku Ex: bed -> beddo Ex: pet -> petto Ex: pen -> pen The "y" sound, except when followed by a, o, or u, is usually replaced withi.Ex: you -> yu- Ex: year -> iya- In order to make foreign words sound more like their originals, additional character combinations have been introduced. These new combinations represent fa, fi, fe, fo, si, ti, tu, di, du, wi, we, wo, va, vi, vu, ve, vo, tsa, tsi, tse, tso, che, she, and je. This means that words that came into the language earlier will sometimes follow different spelling rules than words that have been introduced more recently. Unfortunately, most Japanese people do not actually pronounce some of the new characters as they are intended to be used (especially the characters with v and w). So, the spelling has become more complicated without making the pronunciation much better. Some words even have more than one acceptable spelling now.Ex: fork -> ho-ku (old ho spelling)Ex: fork -> fo-ku (new fo spelling)

Ex: vendor -> benda- (old be spelling)Ex: vendor -> venda- (new ve spelling, still usually pronounced as be)Now that we've gotten all that tedious explanation out of the way, let's get on to actually writing the characters.

These are the 80 kanji learned by first year elementary students in Japan.Click for aprintable version.If you would like to see what these kanji mean and how to read them,go to theFirst Year Kanji Explainationspage.

First Year KanjiONEICHI ITSU hito- hito(tsu)

one

one person

January

TWONI futa futa(tsu)

two

two people

February

THREESAN mi mi(tsu) mit(tsu)

three

triangle

three days; third day of the month

FOURSHI yo yo(tsu) yot(tsu) yon

square, quadrilateral

four people

four times

FIVEGO itsu itsu(tsu)

May

five days; 5th of the month

fifth floor

SIXROKU mu mu(tsu) mut(tsu) mui

six o'clock

six days; 6th of the month

hexagon

SEVENSHICHI nana nana(tsu) nano

July

seven days; 7th of the month

seven weeks

EIGHTHACHI ya ya(tsu) yat(tsu) you

eight

eight days; 8th of the month

bamboo flute

NINEKYUU KU kokono kokono(tsu)

nine times

September

nine days; 9th of the month

TENJUU JIT- too to

ten o'clock

full, enough, sufficient

ten days; 10th of the month

HUNDREDHYAKU

100 yen (100

100 times, hundredfold

300

THOUSANDSEN chi

one thousand yen

to tear to pieces

a thousand years, a very long time

DAY, SUN, JAPANNICHI JITSU hi -bi -ka

Sunday

Japan

three days ago

MOON, MONTHGETSU GATSU tsuki

moon

Monday

December

FIREKA hi -bi ho-

Tuesday

Mars

fireworks, firecrackers

WATERSUI mizu mizu-

Wednesday

bathing suit, swim suit

seawater

TREE, WOODBOKU MOKU ki ko-

Thursday

tree

wooden sword

METAL, GOLD, MONEYKIN KON kane kana- -gane

Friday

money

metal

SOILDO TO tsuchi

Saturday

clay

(special reading)souvenir

UPJOU SHOU ue -ue uwa- kami a(geru) a(garu) a(gari) nobo(ru) nobo(ri) nobo(seru) nobo(su)

on top of that, moreover

go up, rise

raise, lift up

DOWN, UNDER, BASEKA GE shita shimo moto sa(geru) sa(garu) kuda(ru) kada(ri) kuda(su) -kuda(su) kuda(saru) o(rosu) o(riru)

underline

go down, descend

please

RIGHTU YUU migi

right side

right hand

right turn

LEFTSA hidari

left side

left-handedness, left-hander; drinker

left hand

BIG, GREATDAI TAI oo- oo(kii) oo(ini)

big, large

university, college

mass meeting, tournament

(special reading)adult

MIDDLE, INCHUU naka

center, middle

back (of body)

in the morning

SMALLSHOU chii(sai) ko- o-

elementary school

small

whisper, low voice

ENTER, PUT INNYUU i(ru) -i(ru) -i(ri) i(reru) -i(re) hai(ru)

enter

put in, insert

entrance

entrance examination

GO OUT, PUT OUTSHUTSU SUI de(ru) -de da(su) -da(su)

exit, exit ramp

memory

departure, starting out

MANDAN NAN otoko

man

boy

male, man

WOMANJO NYO NYOU onna me

woman

girl

goddess

CHILD, SMALL THINGSHI SU ko -ko -(k)ko

girl

boy

hat

HUMAN BEINGJIN NIN hito -ri -to

Japanese person

popularity

lover, sweetheart

MOUTHKOU KU kuchi

mouth

entrance

(human) population

EYE, ITEMMOKU BOKU me -me ma-

eye

alarm clock

item one

HAND, HOLDER OF AN OCCUPATIONSHU ZU te te- -te ta-

hand

skilled, good at

singer

EARJI mimi

ear

right ear

left ear

FOOT, SUFFICESOKU ashi ta(riru) ta(ru) ta(su)

foot

ankle

lack, shortage, insufficiency

Note: Although foot and leg are both pronounced ashi, the kanji are different. The kanji for foot is . The kanji for leg is .

WHITEHAKU BYAKU shiro shira- shiro(i)

white (adj.)

pure white

confession

REDSEKI SHAKU aka aka(i) aka(ramu) aka(rameru)

red (n.)

red (adj.)

baby

BLUE, GREENSEI SHOU ao ao(i)

blue (adj.)

blue sky

green grass

STUDY, SCHOOLGAKU mana(bu)

school

learn

math

SCHOOL, CHECKKOU

school

principal, headmaster

proofreading

AHEADSEN saki ma(zu)

teacher, doctor

last week

senior, superior

LIFE, BE BORN, STUDENTSEI SHOU i(kiru) i(kasu) i(keru) u(mareru) u(mare) umare u(mu) o(u) ha(eru) ha(yasu) ki nama

student, pupil

teacher, doctor

raw foods, uncooked food

YEARNEN toshi

every year

this year

last year

MOUNTAINSAN yama

mountain

Mt. Fuji

volcano

RIVERSEN kawa

river, stream, brook

upstream, upriver

brook, small stream

FLOWERKA hana

flower

fireworks

vase

RAINU ame ama- -same

rain

heavy rain

rain gutter

RICE FIELDDEN ta

country, rural district

rice paddy

Tanaka (common Japanese last name)

STONESEKI SHAKU KOKU ishi

small rock

pebble

coal

SHELLFISHkai

seafood

shellfish

shell

FORESTRIN hayashi

small forest; Hayashi (Japanese last name)

pine forest

apple (usually written in hiragana or katakana)

FOREST(Larger/thicker than hayashi)SHIN mori

forest, woodland

SEEKEN mi(ru) mi(eru) mi(seru)

look, see

be able to see, be visible

show, let see

STAND, ESTABLISHRITSU RYUU ta(tsu) tate- -da(te)-da(teru)

to stand

stand out, be conspicuous

standing up, rising

RESTKYUU yasu(mu)

rest, vacation

holiday, day off

weekly holiday

HEAVENTEN ame ama-

weather

angel

Milky Way

GAS, SPIRITKI KE

health, good spirits

weather

sickness

BOOK, BASIS, THIS, ORIGINHON moto

Japan

book

real thing, genuine article

DOGKEN inu inu-

dog

puppy

watchdog

BUG, INSECTCHUU mushi

bug, insect

hairy caterpillar

decayed tooth

GRASSSOU kusa kusa- -gusa

grass

seaweed

weed

VEHICLE, WHEELSHA kuruma

car, vehicle

bicycle

train, electric train

NAMEMEI MYOU na -na

name

surname, family name

famous

RIGHTSEI SHOU tada(shii) tada(su) masa masa(ni)

right, correct

right answer

noon

SOUNDON -NON IN oto ne

sound

music

pronunciation

EARLY, QUICKSOU SA- haya(i) haya(maru) haya(meru) sa-

early, quick

early, quickly

Good morning.

KINGOU

king

queen, mistress

Pope

VILLAGESON mura

villager

cities, towns, and villages

Azuma Village (a village in Gunma Prefecture, Japan)

TOWNCHOU machi

town mayor

cities, towns, and villages

Town of Nitta

BAMBOOCHIKU take

(or )stilts

bamboo grove

(special reading)bamboo sword (used in kendo)

AIR, SKY, EMPTYKUU sora a(ku) a(ki) a(keru) kara muna(shii)

airport

karate

empty can

THREADSHI ito

woolen yarn

thread end, beginning, clue

cotton yarn (thread)

CHARACTERJI aza

Roman letters

kanji (Chinese characters)

numbers

EVENINGSEKI yuu

evening

supper

setting sun

GEM, ROUND OBJECTGYOKU tama tama- -dama

eyeball

10 yen coin

egg (alternate characters)

LETTER, WRITINGSBUN MON fumi

(also read )letter, character

grammar

literature

POWERRYOKU RIKI chikara

human power [strength]

electrical power

force, strength, energy

CIRCLE, YENEN maru(i) maru

roundness

12 yen (12 )

round, circular

Second Year KanjiDRAW, PULLIN hi(ku) hi(ki) hi(ki)- -bi(ki) hi(keru)

pull

drawer

50% discount

FEATHER, WINGU ha wa hane

feathers, down

feather quilt, down blanket

one bird (wa is the counter for birds and rabbits)

CLOUDUN kumo -gumo

cloud

rain clouds

dark clouds

GARDENEN sono

park, public garden

paradise

zoo

DISTANTEN ON too(i)

far

farsightedness

roundabout way

WHAT, WHICH, HOW MANYKA nani nan nani- nan-

what time

what month

geometry

SUBJECT OF STUDYKA

science

school subject

(department of) surgery

SUMMERKA GE natsu

summer vacation

early summer

midsummer

HOUSE, FAMILYKA KE ie ya uchi

house

family

rent (of a house)

SONGKA uta uta(u)

song

sing

singer

PICTURE, PLANGA KAKU

movie, cinema

movie theater

foriegn film

TURN, TIMEKAI E mawa(ru) -mawa(ri) mawa(su) mawa(shi)

one time, once

walk around (wander around)

this time

MEET, SOCIETYKAI E a(u) a(waseru)

conversation

company

meet a friend

SEAKAI umi

sea

seashore

overseas

PICTUREKAI E

picture

picture book

oil painting

OUTSIDEGAI GE soto hoka hazu(su) hazu(reru)

outsider, foriegner, alien

exterior, outside

foriegn countries

ANGLE, HORNKAKU kado tsuno

(animal) horn, antler

triangle

square

PLEASURE, COMFORTABLE, MUSICGAKU RAKU tano(shii) tano(shimu)

fun

music

paradise

ACTIVE, LIVEKATSU

activity

life, a living

active volcano

BETWEEN, INTERVALKAN KEN aida ma

time, period of time

be in time

XYXYbetween X and Y

ROUNDGAN maru maru(i) maru(meru)

pill

just like; completely

cannon ball

ROCKGAN iwa

rock

reef

lava, volcanic rock

FACEGAN kao

face

washing one's face

complexion

STEAMKI

steam train

steam pressure

steamship

WRITE DOWNKI shiru(su)

diary

article, news

write clearly, specify

RETURNKI kae(ru) kae(su)

return home

Welcome home!

the way back, return trip

BOWKYUU yumi

archery

Western archery

bow and arrow

COWGYUU ushi

cattle, cow, bull, ox

(cow's) milk

beef

FISHGYO uo sakana -zakana

fish

goldfish

seafood, marine products

CAPITALKYOU KEI KIN

Kyoto (former capital of Japan)

Tokyo

Peking, Beijing

STRONGKYOU GOU tsuyo(i) tsuyo(maru) tsuyo(meru) shi(iru)

strong

study

robbery

TEACHKYOU oshi(eru) oso(waru)

teacher

teach

church

NEARKIN KON chika(i)

near (in space), not far

neighborhood

recently

OLDER BROTHERKEI KYOU ani

(special reading)older brother

brothers, siblings

brother-in-law

SHAPEKEI GYOU kata -gata katachi

shape, form

doll(in the shape of a human)

rectangle

PLAN, COMPUTEKEI haka(ru) haka(rau)

total, sum total

clock

thermometer

ORIGINGEN GAN moto

spirits, health, energy

New Year's Day

as it was before

SAY, SPEECHGEN GON i(u) koto

say, speak

word, language

dialect

PLAIN, ORIGINALGEN hara

grassland, prairie

glacier

primary color

DOORKO to

family register

shutter

cabinet, cupboard

OLDKO furu(i) furu- -furu(su)

old (not used for people)

used, secondhand

archaeology

NOONGO

noon

morning, AM

afternoon, PM

AFTER, BEHINDGO KOU nochi ushi(ro) ushiro ato oku(reru)

from behind

afternoon

later, afterwards

LANGUAGE, WORD, TELLGO kata(ru) kata(rau)

Japanese language

English language

tale, legend

CONSTRUCTION, MANUFACTUREKOU KU

engineering

carpenter

under construction

PUBLICKOU KU ooyake

in public

public park

community center

WIDEKOU hiro(i) hiro(maru) hiro(meru) hiro(garu) hiro(geru)

wide, spacious

advertisement, public notice

plaza, open square

INTERCOURSE, INTERCHANGEKOU maji(waru) maji(eru) ma(jiru) ma(zaru) ma(zeru) -ka(u) ka(wasu)

police box

traffic, transport

intersection, crossroads

LIGHTKOU hikari hika(ru)

light

lightning

light year

THINKKOU kanga(eru) kanga(e)

think

archeology

unimaginable

GO, CONDUCT, LINEKOU GYOU AN i(ku) yu(ku) -yu(ki) -yuki -i(ki) -iki okona(u)

go

bank

trip, travel

HIGHKOU taka(i) taka -daka taka(maru) taka(meru)

senior high school

tall, expensive

high speed

YELLOWKOU OU ki ko-

yellow

yolk

Yellow Sea

FIT, COMBINEGOU GAT- KAT- a(u) -a(u) a(i) ai- -a(i) -ai a(wasu) a(waseru) -a(waseru)

total, sum total

acquaintence

suit, look good with

VALLEYKOKU tani

valley stream

gorge, valley

(special reading)Hasegawa (common surname )

COUNTRYKOKU kuni

country

national language, Japanese

international

BLACKKOKU kuro kuro(i)

black

blackboard

blackhearted, malicious

NOW, PRESENT, THISKON KIN ima

now

(special reading)today

this week

(special reading)this year

(special reading)this morning

TALENT, AGE COUNTERSAI

three years old

genius

talent, ability

SLENDER, THIN, MINUTESAI hoso(i) hoso(ru) koma(ka) koma(kai)

thin, slender

long and thin

details, particulars

MAKESAKU SA tsuku(ru) tsuku(ri) -zuku(ri)

to make

hand made

product, (piece of) work

CALCULATESAN

arithmetic, calculation

addition

budget, estimate

STOPSHI to(maru) -do(mari) to(meru) -to(meru) -do(me) ya(meru) ya(mu)

stop (on Japanese stop signs)

stop smoking (quit smoking)

ban, prohibition

CITY, MARKETSHI ichi

Numata city

cities, urban communities

marketplace

ARROWSHI ya

bow and arrow

arrow (mark),

arrowhead

OLDER SISTERSHI ane

older sister; miss; young woman

sisters

older sister

THINKSHI omo(u)

mysterious, strange

memory, recollection

recall, recollect

PAPERSHI kami

wrapping paper

letter

paper

TEMPLEJI tera

old temple

temple

Ginkaku Temple (silver pavilion temple in Kyoto)

SELFJI SHI mizuka(ra) ono(zukara)

self, one's self

self confidence

automatic

TIME, HOURJI toki -doki

one o'clock

time, period

sometimes

ROOMSHITSU muro

meeting room

Japanese style room

indoors

COMPANY, SOCIETYSHA yashiro

society

a company

company president

WEAKJAKU yowa(i) yowa(ru) yowa(maru) yowa(meru)

weak

weakling

complaints

NECK, HEAD, LEADERSHU kubi

neck

wrist

prime minister

AUTUMNSHUU aki

fall, autumn

autumnal equinox

this (next) fall

WEEKSHUU

this week

last week

one week

SPRINGSHUN haru

spring

vernal (spring) equinox

spring breeze

WRITE, WRITINGSHO ka(ku) -ga(ki) -gaki

to write

library

document, note

LITTLE, FEWSHOU suku(nai) suko(shi)

little by little

boy

girl

PLACEJOU ba

place, site, spot, space

factory

parking space/lot, car park

COLORSHOKU SHIKI iro

complexion

primary color

yellow

EAT, FOODSHOKU JIKI ku(u) ku(rau) ta(beru)

to eat

meal, board

food

HEARTSHIN kokoro -gokoro

heart

worry, be uneasy

be releived, be at ease

NEWSHIN atara(shii) ara(ta) ara- nii-

new

fresh

newspaper

PARENT, RELATIVES, INTIMATESHIN oya oya- shita(shii)

parents

father

kind, friendly

DRAWINGZU TO haka(ru)

map

library (building)

library (room)

NUMBERSUU SU kazu kazo(eru)

math

arithmetic

a number of times, several times

WESTSEI SAI nishi

west

northwest

Western Hemisphere

VOICESEI SHOU koe kowa-

voice

(animal) cry , roar

loud voice

STARSEI SHOU hoshi -boshi

star

planet

Mars

FINE WEATHERSEI ha(reru) ha(re) ha(re)- -ba(re) ha(rasu)

clear sky

fine day

barometer

CUTSETSU SAI ki(ru) -ki(ru) ki(ri) -ki(ri) -gi(ri) ki(reru) -ki(reru) ki(re) -ki(re) -gi(re)

to cut

important, weighty

stamp

ticket

fingernail clippers

SNOWSETSU yuki

snow

to snow

snowman

SHIPSEN fune funa- -bune

ship

balloon

captain (of a ship)

LINESEN

line

underline

Tobu Line (for trains or busses)

BEFOREZEN mae -mae

before noon, AM

name, given name

three days ago

ORGANIZE, GROUPSO ku(mu) kumi -gumi

join hands

group of three people

TV program

RUNSOU hashi(ru)

to run

runner

Thank you for the meal.

MANYTA oo(i)

many

probably, maybe

large number, multitudes

THICK,GREATTAI TA futo(i) futo(ru)

sun

Pacific Ocean

be fat

BODY, FORMTAI TEI karada

body

body weight

physical training, P.E.

STAND, COUNTER FOR VEHICLES/MACHINESDAI TAI

2 computers

kitchen

typhoon

GROUNDCHI JI

subway

earthquake

map, atlas

PONDCHI ike

pond

battery

reservoir

KNOWCHI shi(ru) shi(raseru) shi(reru)

information, notice, report

to know

knowledge

TEACHA SA

green tea

black tea

light brown

DAYTIMECHUU hiru

lunch

daytime, day

lunch break

LONG, HEADCHOU naga(i)

long

length

height

company president

BIRDCHOU tori

kill two birds with one stone

chicken (meat)

swan

MORNINGCHOU asa

breakfast

breakfast

(special reading)this morning

STRAIGHT, FIXCHOKU JIKI JIKA tada(chini) nao(su) -nao(su) nao(ru) nao(ki) su(gu)

fix

get better (get well)

honest, frank

straight

PASS, COMMUNICATETSUU TSU too(ru) too(ri) -too(ri) -doo(ri) too(su) too(shi) -doo(shi) kayo(u)

traffic, transit, passage

main street

through, throughout

YOUNGER BROTHERTEI DAI DE otouto

brothers

brother-in-law

younger brother

SHOPTEN mise

shop

clerk, store employee

main office/store

POINTTEN

two points

point in dispute

boiling point

ELECTRICITYDEN

electricity

microwave

telephone

(electric) train

battery

e-mail

SWORDTOU katana

Japanese sword

sword

(special reading)razor

WINTERTOU fuyu

winter

winter vacation

winter solstice

HIT, THE PRESENTTOU a(taru) a(tari) a(teru) a(te)

at the time, in those days

being on duty, person on duty

proper, right, as it should be

EASTTOU higashi

east

Tokyo

east exit

ANSWERTOU kotae

(an) answer

to answer

answer a question

HEAD, COUNTER FOR LARGE ANIMALSTOU ZUTO atama kashira -gashira

head

three cows

headache

SAMEDOU ona(ji)

same

at the same time

in the same way

WAYDOU TOU michi

sidewalk, footpath

street

backstreets, secret paths

READDOKU TOKU TOU yo(mu) -yo(mi)

to read

reading matter, book

reader, subscriber

INSIDENAI DAI uchi

shy

phone extension, inner line

within, less than, inside of

SOUTHNAN NA minami

south

South Pole

south exit

FLESHNIKU

meat

muscle, sinews

pork

HORSEBA uma uma- ma

horse

stilts

fool, idiot, stupid

SELLBAI u(ru) u(reru)

selling place

sell

vending machine

BUYBAI ka(u)

buy

shopping

go shopping

WHEATBAKU mugi

wheat

wheat flour

rye

HALFHAN naka(ba)

half

half a day

1:30, half past one

NUMERICAL ORDER, ONE'S TURNBAN

first, most, best

number, serial number

TV program

police box

order, turn

FATHERFU chichi

dad

father

grandfather

WIND, MANNERFUU FU kaze kaza- -kaze

wind

typhoon

electric fan

Japanese style

bath

balloon

DIVIDE, MINUTE, UNDERSTANDBUN FUN BU wa(keru) wa(ke) wa(kareru) wa(karu) wa(katsu)

to understand

one minute

half

HEARBUN MON ki(ku) ki(koeru)

(be able to) hear

to listen to

newspaper

RICE, AMERICABEI MAI kome yone

U.S.A

polished white rice

unpolished rice

STEP, WALKHO BU FU aru(ku) ayu(mu)

to walk

go for a walk/stroll

sidewalk, footpath

MOTHERBO haha

mother

grandmother

mother

DIRECTION, WAYHOU kata -kata -gata -nata

one's way of speaking

in the direction of x, toward x

method, way, technique

NORTHHOKU kita

north

North Pole

Northern Hemisphere

EVERYMAI -goto(ni)

every day

every month

every year

every morning

YOUNGER SISTERMAI imouto

younger sister

sisters

younger daughter

TEN THOUSANDMAN BAN

ten thousand

one hundred thousand

by some slim chance

shoplifting

BRIGHT, CLEARMEI MYOU a(kari) aka(rui) aka(rumu) aka(ramu) aki(raka) a(keru) -a(ke) a(ku) a(kuru) a(kasu)

/ (special readings)tomorrow

(special reading)the day after tomorrow

bright, light, cheerful

plain, clear, evident

CRY, SOUNDMEI na(ku) na(ru) na(rasu)

a scream

(animal) cry,call

to ring

HAIRMOU ke

hair (on one's head)

blanket

yarn

GATEMON kado

school gate

specialty, profession

specialist

NIGHTYA yo yoru

tonight, this evening

midnight, middle of the night

dawn, daybreak

FIELDYA no no-

vegetable

baseball

wild, wild nature

FRIENDYUU tomo

friend

friend

close friend

EMPLOY, TASKSYOU mochi(iru)

prepare, get ready

things to do, business, errand

have things to do

DAY OF THE WEEKYOU

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

COMERAI ku(ru) kita(ru) kita(su)

to come

visitor, guest

future

COUNTRYSIDE, LEAGUERI sato

hometown, birthplace

mountain village

REASON, ORDERRI

reason, cause

impossible, unreasonable

science, science department

SPEAKWA hana(su) hanashi

telephone

help, aid, care

to speak

Third Year KanjiBADAKU O waru(i) waru-

the worst

bad

not smart, dumb

PEACEFUL, INEXPENSIVEAN yasu(i) yasu(maru) yasu yasu(raka)

inexpensive

safe, not dangerous

uneasiness, anxiety

DARKAN kura(i)

dark

code, password

gloomy, dim

DOCTOR, MEDICINEI

doctor

dentist

veterinarian

COMMITI

commitee

board of education

commitee member

MEANING, MINDI

meaning

caution, attention

nastiness, ill-natured person

RAISEIKU soda(tsu) soda(chi) soda(teru)

education

physical education

to bring up, to raise

MEMBERIN

company employee, staff member

all members

shop clerk

INSTITUTIONIN

hospital

(medical) clinic

graduate student

DRINKIN no(mu) -no(mi)

drink, beverage

to drink

bar, drinking establishment

CARRY, FORTUNEUN hako(bu)

fate, fortune

carry, transport

to have good luck

SWIMEI oyo(gu)

swimming

to swim

breast stroke

STATIONEKI

train station

station employee

boxed lunch available at train stations

CENTEROU

center, central

epicenter (of an earthquake)

SIDEWAYSOU yoko

pedestrian crosswalk

side, sideways, width

to lie down

HOUSE, SHOPOKU ya

roof

book shop

room

WARMON atata(ka) atata(kai) atata(maru) atata(meru)

temperature

hot spring

greenhouse, hot-house

CHANGE INTOKA KE ba(keru) ba(kasu)

culture

change, transformation

ghost, apparition

LOADKA ni

luggage, baggage, parcel

packing

take a load off

WORLD, BOUNDSKAI

world, universe

boundary, bounds, limits

the entertainment world

OPENKAI hira(ku) hira(ki) -bira(ki) hira(keru) a(ku) a(keru)

open the window

the window is open

open a meeting

FLOOR, LEVELKAI

stairs, steps

second floor

basement, cellar

COLDKAN samu(i)

cold (weather)

coldness

the chills

FEELKAN

feeling, sense

be moved, be impressed

sensitive

CHINESE, MANKAN

Chinese characters

Chinese-Japanese dictionary

groper of women

PUBLIC BUILDINGKAN

movie theater

Japanese inn

library

SHOREGAN kishi

beach, sea shore

opposite bank, further shore

RISE, WAKEKI o(kiru) o(koru) o(kosu)

to wake up

to wake (something) up, to cause to wake

to happen, to occur

TERM, EXPECTKI GO

third school term

term, period

term-end test

VISITOR, CUSTOMERKYAKU KAKU

(honorable) customer, (honorable) guest

visitor, guest

passenger seat (of car), seat (in theater)

STUDY EXHAUSTIVELYKYUU kiwa(meru)

research, study

study of natural laws

URGENT, HURRY, SUDDENKYUU iso(gu) iso(gi)

sharp turn

hurry

ambulance

GRADEKYUU

students of the same grade

Japanese proficiency test level two

advanced class, higher grade

ROYAL PALACE, SHINTO SHRINEKYUU GUU KU miya

labyrinth, maze

visit to a shrine

Miyazaki Prefecture (on the island of Kyushu)

BALLKYUU tama

baseball (the game)

light bulb

the Earth

GO AWAYKYO KO sa(ru) -sa(ru)

last year

the past

retreat, evacuate, withdraw

BRIDGEKYOU hashi

bridge

iron bridge

the Joumou (large) Bridge

WORK, BUSINESSGYOU GOU waza

lesson, instruction

graduation

open for business

MUSICAL COMPOSITION, CURVEKYOKU ma(garu) ma(geru)

famous song

turn to the right

name of a song

BUREAU, LOCALITYKYOKU

post office

after all, in conclution

local

SILVERGIN

bank

silver colored

silver hair

DISTRICT, WARDKU

school district

to punctuate, mark off by a comma

Shinjuku Ward (in Tokyo)

SUFFER, BITTERKU kuru(shii) -guru(shii) kuru(shimu) kuru(shimeru) niga(i) niga(ru)

bitter

hard, painful, distressing

suffer, be distressed

IMPLEMENTGU

furniture

tool

utensil, implement, appliance

MASTER, FAMILIAR TITLE, YOUKUN kimi -gimi

you (used with friends or inferiors)

Mr. Tanaka (used with friends or inferiors)

you (plural) (used with friends or inferiors)

CONNECT, PERSON IN CHARGEKEI kaka(ru) kakari -gakari

chief clerk

information desk clerk

relationship, connection

LIGHTKEI karu(i) karo(yaka)

light (not heavy)

light class car

light meal, snack

BLOODKETSU chi

blood

bleeding, hemorrhage

nosebleed

DECIDEKETSU ki(meru) -gi(me) ki(maru)

decide

be decided, be settled

decision (of a contest)

GRIND, RESEARCHKEN to(gu)

research, study

rice polisher

knife sharpener, whetstone

PREFECTUREKEN

Gunma Prefecture

prefectural office

prefectures (Tokyo, Hokkado, etc.)

STORAGE CHAMBERKO KU kura

garage, parking space

warehouse

cashbox, strong box

LAKEKO mizuumi

lake

on the lake

lakeside, lake shore

TURN TOWARDKOU mu(ku) mu(ki) -mu(ki) mu(keru) -mu(ke) mu(kau) mu(kou) mu(kou)-

geared toward elementary school students

the other side, the opposite side, the other party

head towards ~

GOOD FORTUNE, HAPPINESSKOU saiwa(i) sachi shiawa(se)

happy, fortunate

unhappiness, misfortune

good luck, good fortune

PORTKOU minato

airport

port

NUMBER, DESIGNATIONGOU

telephone number

traffic light, signal

room number 3

ROOTKON ne -ne

Japanese white radish

roots, basis

roof

FESTIVALSAI matsu(ru) matsu(ri) matsuri

festival

national holiday

culture festival

PLATEsara

dishwashing

ice cube tray

saucer

SERVE, DOSHI JI tsuka(eru)

work, job

it can't be helped

serve God

DIESHI shi(nu) shi(ni)

die

corpse, dead body

desperately, for one's dear life

USESHI tsuka(u) tsuka(i) -tsuka(i) -zuka(i)

to use

angel

use, employ, apply

BEGINSHI haji(meru) -haji(meru) haji(maru)

beginning

opening ceremony (of a school term)

begin to write

FINGER, POINTSHI yubi sa(su) -sa(shi)

thumb (lit. parent finger)

fingerprint

to point

TOOTHSHI ha

tooth, teeth

dentist

toothbrushing, toothepaste

POETRYSHI

poem, poetry

poet

epic poem

NEXTJI SHI tsu(gu) tsugi

next

next time

second son

(ABSTRACT) THING, AFFAIRJI ZU koto

work, job

construction work

office

HOLDJI mo(tsu) -mo(chi) mo(teru)

to hold

bring

feeling, sensation

STYLE, CEREMONYSHIKI

wedding ceremony

graduation ceremony

Japanese style

REALJITSU mi mino(ru)

experiment

in reality

fact, reality

COPYSHA utsu(su) utsu(ru)

a photograph

take a photo

PERSONSHA mono

doctor

scholar

young person, youth

MAIN, MASTERSHU SU nushi omo

master, husband

pet owner

housewife

PROTECTSHU SU mamo(ru) mamo(ri) mori -mori

protect

good-luck charm

babysitting, babysitter

TAKESHU to(ru) to(ri) to(ri)- tori- -do(ri)

take

dustpan

receive, take in, accept

ALCOHOLIC DRINKSHU sake saka-

alcohol, beer, liquor, wine etc.

Japanese rice wine, sake

liquor store

RECEIVEJU u(keru) -u(ke) u(karu)

reception desk, receptionist

receipt

take a test, sit an exam

STATESHUU su

State of Alaska

state capital

Kyushu (southernmost of the four main islands of Japan)

PICK UPSHUU JUU hiro(u)

pick up a stone, gather stones

catch a taxi

narrowly escape with one's life

ENDSHUU o(waru) -o(waru) o(eru)

the end, ending, conclusion

finish reading

last, final

LEARN, CUSTOMSHUU nara(u) nara(i)

study, take lessons in

practice

bad habit

COLLECTSHUU atsu(maru) atsu(meru) tsudo(u)

gather, collectvi

gathervt

stamp collecting

LIVEJUU su(mu) su(mau) -zu(mai)

home address

dwelling house, residence

I live in Numata.

HEAVY, DUPLICATEJUU CHOU e omo(i) omo(ri) kasa(neru) kasa(naru)

heavy, weighty

body weight

weight

LODGESHUKU yado yado(ru) yado(su)

homework

hotel charge

take shelter from the rain

PLACESHO tokoro -tokoro dokoro

place, spot, site

four places, four sites

kitchen

HOT, SUMMER HEATSHO atsu(i)

hot and humid, swealtering

hot (weather)

best wishes for the hot season

HELPJO tasu(keru) tasu(karu) suke

helpvt

help, assistvi

help each other

LUMINOUSSHOU

55th year of the Showa Era

EXTINGUISH, SPENDSHOU ki(eru) ke(su)

dissapear

turn off the lights/power

(rubber) eraser

TRADESHOU akina(u)

goods for sale, commodities

trade, business, commerce

store, shop

CHAPTER, BADGESHOU

Chapter 1

writing, composition

armband, arm badge

WIN, EXCELSHOU ka(tsu) -ga(chi) masa(ru)

to win

victory, championship

winner

RIDE, GET ONJOU no(ru) -no(ri) no(seru)

get on/ride a bicycle

passenger

transfer, change trains/busses

PLANTSHOKU u(eru) u(waru)

plant, vegetation

to plant

botanical garden

REPORT, SPEAK HUMBLYSHIN mou(su) mou(shi)-

I'm very sorry. I have no excuse.

to apply for, make a proposal

application, petition

BODY, ONE'S PERSONSHIN mi

height (of a person)

transformation

place where one come's from

GOD, MINDSHIN JIN kami kan- kou-

god, God

god of death

Shinto shrine

TRUE,GREATSHIN ma ma-

truth, reality

center, middle

straight (ahead), honest

DEEPSHIN fuka(i) -buka(i) fuka(maru) fuka(meru)

deep

depth, profundity

of great interest

ADVANCESHIN susu(mu) susu(meru)

to advance

evolution, progress

a step forward

WORLD, AGESEI SE yo

aid, care, everyday affairs

world

Lupan the 3rd

PUT IN ORDERSEI totono(eru) totono(u)

tidy up one's hair, put one's hair in order

integer

symmetry

FORMER TIMESSEKI SHAKU mukashi

Long, long ago...

legend, old/fairy tale

WHOLEZEN matta(ku) sube(te)

all, the whole, entirely

not at all (used w/ neg. sentences)

all members

safety, security

PHASE, MUTUAL, MINISTER OF STATESOU SHOU ai-

partner, opponent

consultation, discussion

as usual, as ever

SENDSOU oku(ru)

to send, to escort (a person somewhere)

broadcasting

farewell (send off) party

CONCEIVESOU SO

imagination

civility, courtesy

daydream, fantasy

BREATHSOKU iki

breathe in

breathe out

a sigh

QUICKSOKU haya(i) haya- haya(meru) sumi(yaka)

quick, fast

speed

at once, immediately

FAMILYZOKU

family, household

relative

a noisy band of motorcycle/scooter riding delinquents

OTHERTA

another person, other people

the rest, the others

murder, homicide

STRIKEDA u(tsu) u(chi)-

hit/drive in a nail

AAhit the 'A' key

preliminary (previous) arrangement

OPPOSITE, OPPOSETAI TSUI

absolute

opposite

oppose, object to

Mariners vs. Yankees

WAITTAI ma(tsu) -ma(chi)

hold on a second

wait for a train

invitation

GENERATION, SUBSTITUTE, CHARGEDAI TAI ka(waru) ka(wari) -ga(wari) ka(eru) yo shiro

the 70s

room rent

represent, stand for

ORDINAL NUMBER PREFIXTOU fuyu

Meeting Room 2

first impression

third party

TITLE, TOPIC, PROBLEMDAI

problem, matter, question

homework

title

COAL, CHARCOALTAN sumi

coal

carbonated water

carbon

SHORTTAN mijika(i)

short (not used for heights)

short term

short time

TALKDAN

consultation, discussion

joke

political talk

WEAR, ARRIVE, STICKCHAKU JAKU ki(ru) -gi ki(seru) -ki(se) tsu(ku) tsu(keru)

wear/put on a dress

bathing (swimmin) suit

kimono

arrival

POUR, CONCENTRATECHUU soso(gu)

caution, attention

to pour

to place an order

PILLARCHUU hashira

power pole, electric pole

grandfather's clock, wall clock

TOWN SUBSECTION, MISC. COUNTERCHOU TEI

3-chome (town sub-section 3)

kichen knife

just, exactly

NOTEBOOKCHOU

notebook, account book, register

bankbook

diary

TONE, INVESTIGATE, PREPARECHOU shira(beru) shira(be) totono(u) totono(eru)

investigate, look into, look up

condition, state (of health), tone, key

seasonings

CHASETSUI o(u)

chase, run after

overtake, catch up with

persue, follow up

FIX, SETTEI JOU sada(meru) sada(maru) sada(ka)

set meal, day's special

plans, schedule

regular (fixed) holiday

GARDEN, YARDTEI niwa

garden, yard

rock garden

home, family, household

FLUTETEKI fue

whistle

windpipe

flute player

IRONTETSU

railway

subway

iron reinforced concrete

TURNTEN koro(garu) koro(geru) koro(gasu) koro(bu)

revolve, rotate

bicycle

fall down, tumble over

METROPOLISTO TSU miyako

cities

capital city

city of Tokyo

DEGREE, TIMEDO TO TAKU tabi

three times, three degrees

just, exactly

temperature

THROW, SEND INTOU na(geru) -na(ge)

throw

pitcher

throw out, abandon

BEANTOU ZU mame mame-

bean

tofu

soy milk

ISLANDTOU shima

island

island country

Nakajima (Japanese surname)

HOT WATERTOU yu

hot water

public bath house

boiling water

CLIMBTOU TO nobo(ru)

to climb

appear, come on stage

registration

EQUAL, CLASSTOU hito(shii) -ra

those guys

divide equally

equality, impartiality

MOVEDOU ugo(ku) ugo(kasu)

animal

move

automobile

be moved, be impressed

CHILDDOU warabe

child, juvenile

fairy tale, nursery tale

children's song, nursery rhyme

FARMINGNOU

agriculture

farmer

farm

WAVEHA nami

waves

electromagnetic waves, radio waves

tsunami, tidal wave

DISTRIBUTEHAI kuba(ru)

deal cards

worry, anxiety

color arrnagement (scheme)

TIMES, DOUBLEBAI

four times, quadruple

multiple

to double

BOXhako

box

first-aid kit

mail box

FIELDhata hatake -batake

fields

cultivate a field

flower garden

START, EMITHATSU HOTSU

discovery, detection

departure

explosion

OPPOSEHAN HON TAN so(ru) so(rasu)

oppose, object to

break the law, act contrary to

anti-war

SLOPEHAN saka

steep slope/hill

slope

upward slope, ascent

BOARD, PLATEHAN BAN ita

blackboard

sign, signboard

board

SKINHI kawa

skin

fur

apple skin/peel

SADHI kana(shii) kana(shimu)

sad

tragedy, tragic drama

grief, sadness

BEAUTIFULBI MI utsuku(shii)

beautiful

art, the arts

art museum

NOSEBI hana

nose

nosebleed

runny nose, nasal discharge

BRUSH, WRITINGHITSU fude

pencil

writing/paint brush

fountain pen

ICEHYOU koori hi

ice

glacier

shaved ice dessert with flavored syrup

EXPRESS, SURFACE, TABLEHOU omote -omote arawa(su) arawa(reru)

announce, make public, publish

express, represent, manifest

bingo grid

SECONDBYOU

one second

second hand (of a clock)

five minutes eleven seconds

ILLNESSBYOU HEI ya(mu) -ya(mi) yamai

sickness, illness, disease

hospital

death of illness

ARTICLEHIN shina

article, thing, goods

food products, foodstuffs

(piece of) work, producation, performance

LOSE, BEARFU ma(keru) ma(kasu) o(u)

to lose

hating to lose

loser, a middle aged woman who isn't married

SECTIONBU -be

part, section

all, the whole

school club activities

CLOTHES, SUBMITFUKU

(Western) clothes

uniform, regulation dress

plain clothes, civilian clothes

FORTUNEFUKU

social welfare

fortunate, blessed, happy

great fortune, sticky rice cake stuffed with bean paste

THINGBUTSU MOTSU mono mono-

animal

luggage, baggage, load

plants, vegetation

thing (concrete)

FLAT, CALMHEI BYOU tai(ra) -daira hira hira-

peace

weekday

1717Heisei Year 17 (the year 2005)

RETURNHEN kae(su) -kae(su) kae(ru) -kae(ru)

response, reply

return a video

repeat, do again

ENDEAVORBEN

study

diligent, hard working

LET GOHOU hana(su) -(p)pana(shi) hana9tsu) hana(reru)

free a bird, let go of a bird

the door is left open

all you can eat

TASTEMI aji aji(wau)

flavor, taste

to taste

tasty, delicious

hobby, interest

ORDER, LIFEMEI MYOU inochi

(mortal) life

for (one's) life, with all one's might

orders, command, decree

FACEMEN omo omote tsura

screen, face of a TV/monitor

washroom (face washing place)

mask, disguise

QUESTIONMON to(u) to9i) ton

question

problem, question

visit

SERVICEYAKU EKI

be of use, be useful

public office, town hall

actor/actress

DRUGYAKU kusuri

medicine, drug

drugstore, pharmacy, (chemist Br. Eng.)

cold medicine

REASONYU YUU YUI yoshi

reason, cause

freedom

unreserved seat

OILYU abura

soy sauce

kerosene

oil painting

HAVEYUU U a(ru)

There is a birthday party.

thank you

famous

PLAYYUU YU aso(bu) aso(basu)

to play

amusement park

play, fun, amusement

IN ADVANCEYO

plans, arrangements, schedule

reservation, preengagement

weather forecast

SHEEPYOU hitsuji

sheep

lamb

sheep farming

OCEAN, WESTERNYOU

(Western) clothes

foriegn (Western) film, Western painting

Pacific Ocean

LEAFYOU ha

leaf

word, term, language

post card

SUNYOU hi

sun

proton

MODE, FORMAL TITLEYOU sama

king

state, appearance

like a ~, in the way of a ~

FALLRAKU o(chiru) o(chi) o(tosu)

to fall

drop, let fall

calm down, settle down

FLOW, STYLERYU RU naga(reru) naga(re) naga(su) -naga(su)

to flow, to be washed away

interchange

electric current

TRAVELRYO tabi

a trip, travel

Japanese inn

traveler

BOTHRYOU

both

parents

both hands

GREENRYOKU ROKU midori

green (color)

green tea

yellow-green

ETIQUETTE, RITEREI RAI

rudeness, impoliteness; Excuse me.

thanks, appreciation, expression of gratitude

!!!!Attention! Bow! (Often heard in schools at the beginning of class or at ceremonies.)

ROWRETSU

line, queue, matrix

(railway) train

form a line (queue)

TRAINREN ne(ru) ne(ri)-

practice, training

to practice, to train

training, drill

ROADRO -ji

journey

road, street

railway line, track

PEACE, JAPANWA O yawa(ragu) yawa(rageru) nago(mu) nago(yaka)

peace, harmony

Japanese style

Japanese->English dictionary