Читать книгу Japanese Kanji Power - John Millen - Страница 8
Оглавление1
一
one; first
イチ ICHI イツ ITSU ひと hito ひと • つ hito(tsu)
The character 一, a single line, indicates the number one.
GR1 N5 AP
Example Sentences
1. コピーを一枚とって。
Kopii o ichimai totte.
Make one copy of this!
2. 彼はいつも電車の一番前に乗る。
Kare wa itsumo densha no ichiban mae ni noru.
He always rides in the very front of the train.
3. 私は一週間に二回外食する。
Watashi wa isshūkan ni nikai gaishoku suru.
I eat out twice a week.
4. 一休みしましよう。
Hitoyasumi shimashō.
Let's take a break.
5. みかんを一つもらいました。
Mikan o hitotsu moraimashita.
I was given a (one) mandarin.
| Common Compounds and Phrases | ||
| 一枚 | ichimai | one (sheet, slice) |
| 一番 | ichiban | the first; the most |
| 一週間 | isshūkan | one week |
| 一休み | hitoyasumi | a rest, a break |
| *一日 | tsuitachi; ichinichi | the first day of the month; one day |
| *一人 | hitori | one person |
2
九
nine
キュウ KYŪ ク KU ここの • つ kokono(tsu) ここの kokono
The character 九 depicted a bent elbow, an ancient way of indicating the number nine.
GR1 N5 AP
Example Sentences
1. 鉛筆が九本そこにあります。
Enpitsu ga kyūhon soko ni arimasu.
There are nine pencils there.
2. 彼は九死に一生をえた。
Kare wa kyūshi ni isshō o eta.
He narrowly escaped death.
3. 東京まで九時間かかった。
Tōkyō made kujikan kakatta.
It took me nine hours to get to Tokyo.
4. 袋にあめが九つ入っていた。
Fukuro ni ame ga kokonotsu haitte ita.
There were nine pieces of candy in the paper bag.
5. 九日から授業が始まる。
Kokonoka kara jugyō ga hajimaru.
Classes begin on the ninth of the month.
| Common Compounds and Phrases | ||
| 九本 | kyūhon | nine (long, thin cylindrical objects) |
| 九ヶ月 | kyūkagetsu | nine months |
| 九時間 | kujikan | nine hours |
| 九月 | kugatsu | September |
| 九九 | kuku | multiplication (times) table |
| 九日 | kokonoka | nine days; the ninth day of the month |
3
七
seven
シチ SHICHI なな nana なな • つ nana(tsu) *なの nano
The character 七，represented an ancient way of signaling seven, using the hands. Think of this character as a combination of five fingers and two.
GR1 N5 AP
Example Sentences
1. 七月七日は七夕です。
Shichigatsu nanoka wa tanabata desu.
July 7 is the Tanabata Festival.
2. この本は七千円しました。
Kono hon wa nanasen-en shimashita.
This book cost seven thousand yen.
3. 七つ目の駅で降りてください。
Nanatsume no eki de orite kudasai.
Please get off at the seventh station.
4. 一週間は七日です。
Isshūkan wa nanoka desu.
There are seven days in a week.
5. あの歌手は七色の声をもっている。
Ano kashu wa nanairo no koe o motte iru.
That singer can use many different voices.
| Common Compounds and Phrases | ||
| 七月 | shichigatsu | July |
| 七時 | shichiji | seven o'clock |
| 七五三 | shichigosan | festival (November 15) for children aged 3, 5 and 7 |
| 七千 | nanasen | seven thousand |
| 七つ目 | nanatsume | the seventh (one) |
| *七日 | nanoka | seven days; the seventh day of the month |
| *七夕 | Tanabata | the Tanabata (Star) Festival |
4
十
ten
ジユウ JŪ ジッ JI' とお to と to
In the character 十, 一 represents east-west, while I represents north-south; thus, 十 signifies all directions. The idea of complete and the association of the number ten derived from this meaning.
GR1 N5 AP
Example Sentences
1. 十月の祭日はいつですか。
Jūgatsu no saijitsu wa itsu desu ka.
When is the public holiday in October?
2. 準備体操を十分にして下さい。
Junbi taisō o jūbun ni shite kudasai.
Don't rush through your warm up.
3. 駅まで歩いて十分です。
Eki made aruite juppun (jippun) desu.
It's a ten-minute walk to the station.
4. 今年の春休みは十日間でした。
Kotoshi no haru-yasumi wa tōkakan deshita.
My spring vacation this year was ten days long.
5. 食べ物の好みは十人十色。
Tabemono no konomi OA jūnin tiro.
When it comes to food, there are so many people, and so many tastes.
| Common Compounds and Phrases | ||
| 十月 | jūgatsu | October |
| 十分 | jubun | enough; plenty of |
| 十分 | juppun, jippun | ten minutes |
| 十人 | jūnin | ten people |
| 十分の一 | jūbun no ichi | one-tenth |
| 十五夜 | jūgoya | a night with a full moon |
| 十日 | tōka | ten days; the tenth day of the month |
5
人
man; people
ジンJIN ニン NIN ひと hito
The character 人 represents a side view of a person
GR1 N5 AP
Example Sentences
1. 妻はドイツ人です。
Tsuma wa Doitsujin desu.
My wife is German.
2. ご家族は何人ですか。
Gokazoku wa nannin desu ka.
How many people are there in your family?
3. ここは人が多い。
Koko wa hito ga ōi.
There are many people here.
4. 人のせいにしないで。
Hito no sei ni shinai de.
Don't blame it on somebody else!
5. このレストランはとても人気がある。
Kono resutoran wa totemo ninki ga aru.
This restaurant is very popular.
| Common Compounds and Phrases | ||
| ドイツ人 | Doitsujin | a German; the Germans |
| 日本人 | Nihonjin | a Japanese person; the Japanese |
| 何人 | nan-nin | How many people? |
| 人気 | ninki | popularity |
| *一人 | hitori | one person; alone |
| *大人 | otona | adult |
| *仲人 | nakōdo | a go-between, matchmaker |
6
二
two
ニ NI ふた futa ふた • つ futa(tsu)
Two lines are used to indicate the number two.
GR1 N5 AP
Example Sentences
1. 明日の午後ニ時に会いましょう。
Ashita no gogo niji ni aimashō.
Let's meet at 2:00 P.M. tomorrow.
2. 二月に二人目の子供が生まれる。
Nigatsu ni futarime no kodomo ga umareru.
My second child will be born in February.
3. 日本語検定の二級に受かった。
Nihongo kentei no nikyū ni ukatta.
I passed the second level of the Japanese language examination.
4. 二度と同じ失敗を繰り返すな。
Nido to onaji shippai o kurikaesu na.
Don't make the same mistake again (a second time)!
5. むこうに山がニつ見えます。
Mukō ni yama ga futatsu miemasu.
You can see two mountains over there.
| Common Compounds and Phrases | ||
| ニ時 | niji | two o'clock |
| 二級 | nikyū | second level (degree, class) |
| 二度 | nido | twice; two degrees |
| *二日 | futsuka | the second day of the month; two days |
| *二十日 | hatsuka | the twentieth day of the month; twenty days |
| *二人 | futari | two persons; two people |
| * 二十歳 | hatachi | twenty years of age |
7
入
to enter, to put in
ニュウ NYŪ い • る i(ru) はい • る hai(ru) いれ • る ire(ru)
The character 入 represents the entrance of a house.
GR1 N5 AP
Example Sentences
1. 手術のため入院した。
Shujutsu no tame nyūin shita.
I checked into the hospital to have an operation.
2. 収入が増えた。
Shūnyū ga fueta.
My total income has increased.
3. 今日の映画は気に入りましたか。
Kyō no eiga wa ki ni irimashita ka.
Did you like the movie, today?
4. 私は毎晚ふろに入る。
Watashi wa maiban furo ni hairu.
I take a bath every evening.
5. ポケットに手を入れないで下さい。
Poketto ni te o irenai de kudasai.
Don't put your hands in your pockets!
| Common Compounds and Phrases | ||
| 入院 | nyūin | admission to a hospital |
| 収入 | shūnyū | income; earnings |
| 記入 | kinyū | an entry (in a ledger) |
| 入国 | nyūkoku | immigration |
| 輸入 | yunyū | import(s) |
| 入学 | nyūgaku | admission into a school |
| 入り口 | iriguchi | an entrance; an outset |
8
八
eight
ハチ HACHI ハツ HATSU や ya や • つ ya(tsu) やっ• つ yat(tsu) *よう yō
The character 八 represents something that can be easily divided in two, ie. the number eight.
GR1 N5 AP
Example Sentences
1. 日本に来て八年になる。
Nihon ni kite hachinen ni naru.
It has been eight years since I came to Japan.
2. これは八百年前の寺です。
Kore wa happyakunen-mae no tera desu.
This temple dates from eight hundred years ago.
3. 今日帰りに八百屋で買い物をしよう。
Kyō kaeri ni yaoya de kaimono o shiyō.
I'll shop at the vegetable store on the way home, today.
4. 彼はおにぎりを八つも食べた。
Kare wa onigiri o yattsu mo tabeta.
He ate as many as eight rice balls!
5. 八日は彼女の誕生日だ。
Yōka wa kanojo o no tanjōbi da.
Her birthday is on the eighth.
| Common Compounds and Phrases | ||
| 八年 | hachinen | eight years |
| 八月 | hachigatsu | August |
| 八時 | hachiji | eight o'clock |
| 八百 | happyaku | eight hundred |
| 七転び | nanakorobi | bouncing back after |
| 八起き | yaoki | being knocked down |
| *八日 | yōka | the eighth day of the month; eight days |
| *八百屋 | yaoya | a vegetable store; a greengrocer's |
9
下
low; below; to go down
力 KA ゲ GE した shita しも shimo さ • がる sa(garu) くだ • る kuda(ru) お • りる o(riru)
The character 卜 represents something below a horizontal line; ie., something underneath.
GR1 N5 AP
Example Sentences
1. 下線を引いて下さい。
Kasen o hiite kudasai.
Underline (that word)!
2. 七月下旬に夏休みを取る予定です。
Shichigatsu gejun ni natsuyasumi o toru votei desu.
I'm planning to take my summer holidays at the end of July.
3. テーブルの下で猫が眠っていた。
Tēburu no shita de neko ga nemutte ita.
A cat was asleep under the table.
4. パソコンが値下がりしている。
Pasokon ga nesagari shite iru.
The prices of personal computers are dropping.
5. 友達とカヌーで川を下るつもりです。
Tomodachi to kanū de kawa o kudaru tsumori desu.
I'm planning to go canoeing downriver with a friend.
| Common Compounds and Phrases | ||
| 下線 | kasen | an underline; underlining |
| 地下 | chika | underground |
| 下旬 | gejun | the last third of the month |
| 靴下 | kutsushita | socks; hosiery |
| 川下 | kawashimo | downriver |
| 下さい | kudasai | please |
| *下手な | heta na | unskillful; poor at |
10
ロ
mouth
コウ KŌ ク KU
くち kuchi
The character ロ represents the shape of a mouth.
GR1 N5 AP
Example Sentences
1. 都市に人口が集中する。
Toshi ni jinkō ga shūchū suru.
The population is concentrated in the cities.
2. 非常口はあそこです.
Hijōguchi wa asoko desu.
Emergency exits are located over there.
3. 試合に負けて口惜しかった。
Shiai ni makete kuyashikatta.
I felt frustrated after losing the match.
4. ロに虫が入った。
Kuchi ni mushi ga haitta.
A bug flew into my mouth.
5. 彼女は早口で話す。
Kanojo wa hayakuchi de hanasu.
She's a fast talker.
| Common Compounds and Phrases | ||
| 人口 | jinkō | a population |
| 口座 | kōza | a bank account |
| 非常口 | hijōguchi | an emergency exit |
| 改札口 | kaisatsuguchi | a ticket gate |
| 出口 | deguchi | an exit |
| 窓口 | madoguchi | a window; a counter |
| 早口 | hayakuchi | rapid talking |
11
三
three
サン SAN み mi み • つ mi(tsu) みっ • つ mit(tsu)
The character 三，three horizontal lines, represents the number three.
GR1 N5 AP
Example Sentences
1. 三月三日はひな祭りです。
Sangatsu mikka wa hinamatsuri desu.
March 3 is the Dolls' Festival.
2. 彼女はノートに三角を描いた。
Kanojo wa nōto ni sankaku o kaita.
She drew a triangle in her notebook.
3. 昨夜の三日月はきれいでした。
Yūbe no mikazuki wa kirei deshita.
The new moon was beautiful last night.
4. いとこに三つ子が生まれた。
Itoko ni mitsugo ga umareta.
My cousin gave birth to triplets.
5. 三つ質問があります。
Mittsu shitsumon ga arimasu.
I have three questions.
| Common Compounds and Phrases | ||
| 三月 | sangatsu | March |
| 三ヶ月 | sankagetsu | three months |
| 三角 | sankaku | a triangle; triangularity |
| 三日 | mikka | three days; the third day of the month |
| 三日月 | mikazuki | the new (crescent) moon |
| 三つ子 | mitsugo | triplets; a three-year-old child |
| *三味線 | shamisen | shamisen |
12
山
mountain
サン SAN やま yama
The character 山 represents the shape of a mountain with three peaks.
GR1 N5 AP
Example Sentences
1. お正月は富士山に登る。
Oshōgatsu wa Fujisan ni noboru.
I'm going to climb Mount Fuji at New Year.
2. 父は鉱山の技師でした。
Chichi wa kōzan no gishi deshita.
My father was a mining engineer.
3. 今年の夏休みは山で過ごした。
Kotoshi no natsuyasumi wa yama de sugoshita.
I spent this summer vacation in the mountains.
4. じやがいもを一山百円で買った。
Jagaimo o hitoyama hyaku-en de katta.
I paid a hundred yen for a pile of potatoes.
5. 百年ぶりに火山が爆発した。
Hyaku-nen buri ni kazan ga bakuhatsu shita.
The volcano erupted after an interval of 100 years.
| Common Compounds and Phrases | ||
| 富士山 | Fujisan | Mount Fuji |
| 山脈 | sanmyaku | a mountain range |
| 鉱山 | kōzan | a mine |
| 火山 | kazan | a volcano |
| 下山 | gezan | climbing down a mountain |
| 一山 | hitoyama | a pile; a heap; a mountain |
| 山本 | Yamamoto | Yamamoto (a name) |
EXERCISE 1 (1 – 12)
A. Give the readings for the following kanji using hiragana or rōmaji.
1. 山
2. 口
3. 八
4. 人
5. 三
6. 九
7. 下
8. 七
9. 二
10. 十
B. Give the English meanings of the following words.
1. 二十一
2. 八人
3. 山
4. 七十九
5. 口
6. 九九
7. 三十八
8. 九十二
9. 下
10. 一人
C. Write the readings for the following kanji in hiragana.
1. 一つ (one thing)
2. 下さい (please)
3. 九つ (nine things)
4. 入れる (to put in)
5. 下がる (to come down; to drop)
6. 九人 (nine people)
7. 三つ (three things)
8. 入り口 (an entrance)
9. 七つ (seven things)
10. 人口 (population)
13
子
child; baby
シ SHI *ス SU こ ko
The character 子 represents a baby with a large head and both arms extended.
GR1 N5 AP
Example Sentences
1. 女子用トイレは二階です。
Joshi-yō toire wa nikai desu.
The women's toilet is on the second floor.
2. 様子を見ましょう。
Yōsu o mimashō.
Let's wait and see!
3. 子供が二人います。
Kodomo ga futari imasu.
I have two children.
4. もうすぐ子会社を作る。
Mō sugu kogaisha o tsukuru.
They are going to establish a subsidiary company soon.
5. 私たち親子は良く似ていると言われます。
Watashitachi oyako wa yoku nite iru to iwaremasu.
People say that my father and I look alike.
| Common Compounds and Phrases | ||
| 女子 | joshi | a girl; a woman; a lady |
| 男子 | danshi | a boy; a man; a son |
| 様子 | yōsu | a situation; a state; an appearance |
| 親子 | oyako | father and son; mother and daughter |
| 化子 | Hanako | Hanako (a name) |
| 子供 | kodomo | a child; a son; a daughter |
| 子会社 | kogaisha | a subsidiary; an affiliate |
14
女
woman
ジョ JO ニョ NYO *ニョウ NYŌ おんな onna め me
The character 女 represents a woman with arms and legs bent in a gentle posture.
GR1 N5 AP
Example Sentences
1. その人は女性ですか、男性ですか。
Sono hito wa josei desu ka, dansei desu ka.
Is that person a man or a woman?
2. 長女は九歳で。
Chōjo wa kyūsai desu.
My eldest daughter is nine years old.
3. 壁に天女の絵があった。
Kabe ni tennyo no e ga atta.
There was a drawing of a celestial nymph on the wall.
4. 店の外で女の人が待っている。
Mise no soto de onna no hito ga matte iru.
A woman is waiting outside the store.
5. すべての権利は男女平等であるべきです。
Subete no kenri wa danjo byōdō de aru beki desu.
All rights should be gender-equal.
| Common Compounds and Phrases | ||
| 女性 | josei | a woman; femininity |
| 長女 | chōjo | one's eldest daughter |
| 彼女 | kanojo | she; her |
| 男女 | danjo | men and women |
| 天女 | tennyo | a celestial nymph |
| 女の人 | onna no hito | a woman; a female |
| 女神 | megami | a goddess |
15
小
small, little
ショウ SHŌ ちい • さい chii(sai) こ ko お o
The character 小 represents a large object being chipped away at, leaving small pieces.
GR1 N5 AP
Example Sentences
1. あの子は近くの小学校に通っている。
Ano ko wa chikaku no shōgakkō ni kayotte iru.
That child attends a nearby elementary school.
2. もっと小さいものがほしい。
Motto chiisai mono ga hoshii.
I'd like a smaller one.
3. 小型車は、人気がある。
Kogatasha wa, ninki ga aru.
Small cars are popular.
4. みんなで小高い丘に登った。
Minna de kodakai oka ni nobotta.
We all climbed the low hill.
5. 新幹線は小田原に止まりますか。
Shinkansen wa Odawara ni tomarimasu ka.
Does the Shinkansen stop at Odawara?
| Common Compounds and Phrases | ||
| 小学校 | shōgakkō | an elementary (primary) school |
| 小型 | kogata | a small size; miniature |
| 小高い | kodakai | slightly elevated |
| 小切手 | kogitte | a check (bank) |
| 小山 | Koyama, Oyama | Koyama / Oyama (a name) |
| *小豆 | azuki | an adzuki bean |
| *小雨 | kosame | light rain; drizzle |
16
上
above; top; to rise; to climb
ジョウ JŌ *ショウ SHŌ うえ ue うわ uwa かみ kami あ • がる a(garu) め• げる a(geru) のぼ • る nobo(ru)
The character 上 was originally written ニ, indicating the area above a line. The vertical line was added later.
GR1 N5 AP
Example Sentences
1. 上等なカシミアのコートを買った。
Jōto na kashimia no kōto o katta.
I bought a high-quality cashmere coat.
2. その机の上にレポートを置いてください。
Sono tsukue no ue ni repōto o oite kudasai.
Please place the report on that desk.
3. 上着を着たらどうですか。
Uwagi o kitara dō desu ka.
Why don't you put on a jacket?
4. 川上さんを知っていますか。
Kawakami-san o shitte imasu ka.
Do you know Mr. (Ms.) Kawakami?
5. 急いで階段を上がった。
Isoide kaidan o agatta.
He hurried up the stairs.
| Common Compounds and Phrases | ||
| 上等 | jōtō | first-class; superior |
| 向上 | kōjō | improvement |
| 上着 | uwagi | a coat; a jacket; a blouse |
| 川上 | kawakami | Kawakami (a name) upriver |
| 値上げ | neage | a price hike |
| 売り上げ | uriage | sale |
| *上手 | jōzu | skillful, good at |
17
千
thousand
セン SEN ち chi
The character 千 is made up of the characters for イ person and, 一 one, which together represent thousands of people in a crowd.
GR1 N5 AP
Example Sentences
1. その会社の社員数は、約千人です。
Sono kaisha no shain'sū wa yaku sennin desu.
There are about one thousand employees in that company.
2. 税込み三千九十円です。
Zeikomi sanzen kyūiūen desu.
It is ¥3,090, including tax.
3. 妹は子供に千秋という名前をつけた。
Imōto wa kodomo ni Chiaki to iu namae o tsuketa.
My sister called her child Chiaki.
4. 慰霊碑に千羽づるを捧げた。
Ireihi ni senbazuru o sasageta.
The 1,000 paper cranes were dedicated to the cenotaph.
5. —万円を千円札にくずしてもらえますか。
Ichiman-en o sen'en-satsu ni kuzushite moraemasu ka.
Could you change 10,000 yen into 1,000 yen notes for me?
| Common Compounds and Phrases | ||
| 千人 | sennin | one thousand people |
| 三千 | sanzen | three thousand |
| 一千万 | issen-man | ten million |
| 千円札 | sen'en-satsu | a ¥1,000 note |
| 千羽づる | senbazuru | 1,000 folded paper cranes |
| 千秋 | Chiaki | Chiaki (a name) |
| 千代田区 | Chiyoda-ku | Chiyoda Ward |
18
川
river
セン SEN かわ kawa
The character 川 represents flowing water.
GR1 N5 AP
Example Sentences
1. ただいま、河川工事を行こなっております。
Tadaima, kasen kōji o okonatte orimasu.
River conservation work is in progress.
2. 川上は流れが速い。
Kawakami wa nagare ga hayai.
The current is swift upstream.
3. 信濃川は日本で一番長い川です。
Shinanogawa wa Nihon de ichiban nagai kawa desu.
The Shinano River is Japan's longest river.
4. 先週、川原でバーベキューをした。
Senshū, kawara de bābekyū o shita.
Last week, we had a barbecue on a dry river bed.
5. 友達と川岸まで泳いだ。
Tomodachi to kawagishi made oyoida.
I swam to the riverbank with my friend.
| Common Compounds and Phrases | ||
| 河川 | kasen | a river |
| 四川 | Shisen | Sichuan (a place) |
| 川原 | kawara | a dry riverbed |
| 川崎 | Kawasaki | Kawasaki (a name / place) |
| 小川 | ogawa | a creek; Ogawa (a name) |
| 川魚 | kawauo | a river fish |
| 川岸 | kawagishi | a riverside, a riverbank |
19
大
great; big; large
ダイ DAI タイ TAI おお ō おお • きい ō(kii) おお • いに ō(i ni)
The character 大 depicts a person standing with arms outstretched, suggesting the concept of big.
GR1 N5 AP
Example Sentences
1. それは大問題になった。
Sore wa daimondai ni natta.
It became a grave concern.
2. 彼は大金を持っている。
Kare wa taikin o motte iru.
He has a large sum of money.
3. ネ雨になりそうだ。
Ōame ni narisō da.
It looks like we're in for some heavy showers.
4. 東京は巨大な都市だ。
Tōkyō wa kyodai na toshi da.
Tokyo is a huge city.
5. いつか大きな地震が起こるだろう。
Itsu ka ōki na jishin ga okoru darō.
A large earthquake will strike some day.
| Common Compounds and Phrases | ||
| 大問題 | daimondai | a big issue; a real problem |
| 大学 | daigaku | college; university |
| 大金 | taikin | a lot of money |
| 大切 | taisetsu | important; precious |
| 大雨 | ōame | heavy rain |
| 大型 | ōgata | a large size |
| *大人 | otona | an adult |
20
土
earth; soil; land
ド DO 卜 TO つち tsuchi
The character 土 represents a seedling emerging from a mound of earth.
GR1 N5 AP
Example Sentences
1. 昔は船で本土へ渡った。
Mukashi wa fune de hondo e watatta.
We used to go to the mainland by ship.
2. 土日は仕事が休みです。
Donichi wa shigoto ga yasumi desu.
We have Saturdays and Sundays off.
3. そのうち、東京に土地を買いたい。
Sono uchi, Tōkyō ni tochi o kaitai.
I'd like to buy some land in Tokyo some day.
4. 球根を土に埋めた。
Kyūkon o tsuchi ni umeta.
The bulb was buried under the soil.
5. 裏庭で土器を発見した。
Uraniwa de doki o hakken shita.
I found some old earthenware in the backyard.
| Common Compounds and Phrases | ||
| 本土 | hondo | the mainland |
| 土日 | donichi | the weekend; Saturday(s) and Sunday(s) |
| 土器 | doki | earthenware |
| 土手 | dote | a bank, embankment |
| 領土 | ryōdo | territory |
| 土地 | tochi | land; property |
| *土産 | miyage | a souvenir; a present |
21
万
ten thousand; all sorts of
マン MAN バン BAN *よろず yorozu
The character 万 derived from a pictograph of a scorpion pronounced man in Chinese. From phonetic borrowing and perhaps because scorpions were very numerous, the character became associated with ten thousand.
GR1 N5 AP
Example Sentences
1. サイクロンで十万人以上の死者が出た。
Saikuron de jūman-nin ijō no shisha ga deta.
The cyclone caused more than one hundred thousand deaths.
2. 昨日、一万円下ろしたばかりだ。
Kinō, ichiman-en oroshita bakari da.
I just withdrew ten thousand yen yesterday.
3. 万が一にもそんなことはないと思うよ。
Man' ga ichi ni mo sonna koto wa nai to omou yo.
There isn't a chance in a million that would ever happen.
4. 万国博覧会を一度見てみたい。
Bankoku hakurankai o ichido mite mitai.
I'd like to see an international exposition just once.
5. 防災に万全の備えをする。
Bōsai ni banzen no sonae o suru.
We will be fully prepared for disaster prevention.
| Common Compounds and Phrases | ||
| 十万人 | jūman-nin | one hundred thousand people |
| 一万円 | ichiman-en | ten thousand yen |
| 万が一 | man'ga ichi | an unlikely event; by any chance |
| 万年筆 | mannenhitsu | a fountain pen |
| 万戚 | banzai | Hurrah! |
| 万全の | banzen no | perfect; flawless; sure |
| 万国 博覧会 | bankoku hakurankai | a world's fair |
22
円
yen; circle; round
エン EN まる maru まる • い maru(i)
Originally 圓, this character consisted of ロ an enclosure and representing a round vessel. From this came the meaning of a round enclosure.
GR1 N5 AP
Example Sentences
1. コンパスで円を描いた。
Kompasu de en o kaita.
I drew a circle with a compass.
2. 百九十円の地下鉄の切符を買いなさい。
Hyaku kyūjū-en no chikatetsu no kippu o kainasai.
Buy a ¥190 subway ticket.
3. 円高が長く続いた。
Endaka ga nagaku tsuzuita.
The value of the yen was high for a long time.
4. 関東一円に大雨が降るでしょう。
Kantō ichien ni ōame ga furu deshō.
Heavy rains are expected throughout the Kanto area.
5. 夫婦円満の秘訣はなんですか。
Fūiu enman no hiketsu wa nan desu ka.
What is the secret of harmony for married couples?
| Common Compounds and Phrases | ||
| 九十円 | kyūjū-en | ninety yen |
| 円高 | endaka | a strong yen (rate) |
| 円盤 | enban | a disc |
| 円満 | enman | perfection; harmony |
| 円心 | enshin | the center of a circle |
| 楕円 | daen | an ellipse; an oval |
| 円周率 | enshūritsu | pi; a circle ratio |
23
王
king
オウŌ
The three horizontal lines symbolize heaven, earth and man, and the vertical line represents the person who connects them; namely a king.
GR 1 N2
Example Sentences
1. 国王は王子のときイギリスに留学した。
Kokuō wa ōji no toki Igirisu ni ryūgaku shita.
The king went to Britain to study when he was a prince.
2. エジソンは発明王といわれている。
Ejison wa hatsumeiō to iwarete iru.
Edison is said to be the 'King of Inventors.'
3. 王手！
Ōte!
Check! (in Japanese chess)
4. イギリス王室は最も古い王族のひとつです。
Igirisu ōshitsu wa mottomo furui ōzoku no hitotsu desu.
The British royal family is one of the oldest royal families.
5. 新しい国王が即位しました。
Atarashii kokuō ga sokui shimashita.
A new king ascended the throne.
| Common Compounds and Phrases | ||
| 国王 | kokuō | a king; a monarch |
| 王核 | ōsama | a king; His Majesty |
| 王子 | ōji | a prince |
| 王女 | ōjo | a princess |
| 女王 | joō | a queen |
| 王族 | ōzoku | a royal family; royalty |
| 王/坐 | ōza | a throne |
24
火
fire
力 KA ひ hi *ほ ho
The character 火 represents a blazing flame.
GR1 N5 AP
Example Sentences
1. 火事を発見して通報した。
Kaji o hakken shite tsūhō shita.
He discovered a fire and reported it.
2. 来週の月火は連休だ。
Raishu no getsu-ka wa renkyū da.
Next Monday and Tuesday are consecutive holidays.
3. 火を貸してもらえますか。
Hi o kashite moraemasu ka.
May I have a light, please?
4. 最終ランナーが、聖火台に点火した。
Saishū rannā ga, seikadai ni tenka shita.
The last runner ignited the Olympic cauldron.
5. 花火を見に行きましょう。
Hanabi o mi ni ikimashō.
Let's go to see the fireworks.
| Common Compounds and Phrases | ||
| 火事 | kaji | a fire |
| 火災 | kasai | a fire; a blaze |
| 火力 | karyoku | heat; firepower |
| 点火 | tenka | ignition; lighting |
| 防火 | boka | fire prevention; fireproof |
| 火花 | hibana | a spark |
| 花火 | hanabi | fireworks |
EXERCISE 2 (13 – 24)
A. Give the readings for the following kanji using hiragana or rōmaji.
1. 女
2. 川
3. 千
4. 上
5. 万
6. 火
7. 円
8. 土
9. 小さな
10. 大きい
B. Write in kanji and kana.
1. adult
2. 8,000
3. to raise
4. ¥3,073
5. twenty million
6. a girl
7. to go up
8. Ms. Yamaguchi
9. nine thousand people
10. 7,020
C. Fill in the kanji according to the meanings provided.
1. じょし (a woman; a female)____
2. おおきくない (isn’t big) ____きくない
3. おがわ (a creek / Ogawa, a name)____
4. はっせんえん ( ¥8,000)____
5. かざん (a volcano)____
6. さんまんにん (30,000 people)____
7. おんなのひと (a woman) ____の____
8. せんえん (¥1,000)____
9. じょおう (a queen)____
10. かわかみさん (Mr. Kawakami)____ さん
25
月
moon; month
ゲツ GETSU ガツGATSU つき tsuki
The character 月 represents the crescent moon.
GR1 N5 AP
Example Sentences
1. 今夜は満月だ。
Konya wa mangetsu da.
There is a full moon tonight.
2. 三ヶ月禁煙した。
Sankagetsu kin'en shita.
I quit smoking for three months.
3. 燃えるごみは月•水に出してください。
Moeru gomi wa ges-sui ni dashite kudasai.
Please put out burnable trash on Mondays and Wednesdays.
4. 日本では学校は四月に始まります。
Nihon de wa gakkō wa Shigatsu ni hajimarimasu.
In Japan, school begins in April.
5. 月が雲に隠れている。
Tsuki ga kumo ni kakurete iru.
The moon is hidden behind the clouds.
| Common Compounds and Phrases | ||
| 満月 | mangetsu | a full moon |
| 三ヶ月 | sankagetsu | three months |
| 先月 | sengetsu | last month |
| 十一月 | jūichigatsu | November |
| 一月 | ichigatsu | January |
| 一月 | hitotsuki | one month |
| 正月 | shōgatsu | New Year's |
26
五
five
ゴ GO いつ itsu いつ • つ itsu(tsu)
In the character 五 the upper horizontal stroke signifies ten and the lower one one; the middle line represents the half-way point, five.
GR1 N5 AP
Example Sentences
1. 五月五日は子供の日です。
Gogatsu itsuka wa Kodomo no Hi desu.
May 5th is Children's Day.
2. 可能性は五分五分だ。
Kanōsei wa gobu gobu da.
There's a fifty-fifty chance.
3. 五百五十円になります。
Gohyaku gojū-en ni narimasu.
That comes to ¥550.
4. オリンピックの五りんマークのTシャツを買った。
Orinpikku no gorin māku no T-shatsu o katta.
I bought a t-shirt with the (five-ring) Olympic emblem on it.
5. 五つ星のホテルに泊まった。
Itsutsu-boshi no hoteru ni tomatta.
I stayed in a five-star hotel!
| Common Compounds and Phrases | ||
| 五月 | gogatsu | May |
| 五日 | itsuka | the fifth of the month; five days |
| 五つ星 | itsutsu-boshi | five-star |
| 五感 | gokan | the five senses |
| 五十音 | gojūon | the Japanese syllabary |
| *五月晴れ | satsukibare | fine weather during the May rainy season |
27
午
noon
ゴ GO
The character 午 originated from a pictograph of a wooden pestle. It came to have the meaning of noon, the middle of the day, perhaps because a pestle hits the middle of a mortar.
GR2 N5 AP
Example Sentences
1. 午前中にこの仕事をやっておいて下さい。
Gozenchū ni kono shigoto o yatte oite kudasai.
Please attend to this business this morning.
2. 午後なら行けます。
Gogo nara ikemasu.
I'll be able to go in the afternoon.
3. 子午線は北極と南極を結ぶ線です。
Shigosen wa hokkyoku to nankyoku o musubu sen desu.
A meridian is a line that links the North and South Poles.
4. 端午の節句にこいのぼりを飾りました。
Tango no sekku ni koinobori o kazarimashita.
I raised a carp streamer on Tango no sekku.
5. 列車は正午に出発します。
Ressha wa shōgo ni shuppatsu shimasu.
The train departs at noon.
| Common Compounds and Phrases | ||
| 午前 | gozen | morning; A.M. |
| 午前中 | gozenchū | during the morning |
| 午後 | gogo | afternoon; P.M. |
| 正午 | shōgo | noon |
| 子午線 | shigosen | the meridian (line) |
| 端午の節句 | Tango no sekku | Children's Day (May 5th) |
28
今
now; this; present
キン KIN コン KON いま ima
The character 今 depicts something being covered to prevent its escape. The meaning of now and immediately perhaps came from covering it quickly.
GR2 N5 AP
Example Sentences
1. 今週の予定を立てよう。
Konshū no yoteio tateyō.
Let's organize this week's schedule.
2. ただ今、電話中です。
Tadaima, denwachū desu.
He is on the phone at the moment.
3. 今朝は寒い。
Kesa wa samui.
It is cold this morning.
4. ただいま（今)。
Tadaima.
I'm home!
5. 今度、いっしょに旅行に行きませんか。
Kondo, issho ni ryokō ni ikimasen ka.
Would you like to go on a trip with me sometime?
| Common Compounds and Phrases | ||
| 今週 | konshū | this week |
| 今月 | kongetsu | this month |
| *今日 | kyō; konnichi | today; now |
| 今度 | kondo | the recent; next time |
| 今夜 | konya | this evening; tonight |
| 今頃 | imagoro | about now; nowadays |
| *今朝 | kesa | this morning |
29
手
hand
シュ SHU て te *た ta
The character 手 derived from the shape of a hand with its five fingers extended.
GR1 N5 AP
Example Sentences
1. 彼に会ったとき握手した。
Kare ni atta toki akushu shita.
I shook hands with him when we met.
2. 別の手段を考えるべきだ。
Betsu no shudan o kangaeru beki da.
We should think of a different method.
3. やっとほしい本を手に入れた。
Yatto hoshii hon o te ni ireta.
I finally got hold of a book I had wanted.
4. あなたの手料理が食べたい。
Anata no teryōri ga tabetai.
I'd like to try some of your home cooking.
5. 彼は下手な日本語で話していた。
Kare wa heta na Nihongo de hanashite ita.
He spoke in broken Japanese.
| Common Compounds and Phrases | ||
| 握手 | akushu | shaking hands |
| 手段 | shudan | a means; a way; a step |
| 運転手 | untenshu | a driver |
| 手に入れる | te ni ireru | to get; to come by |
| 手料理 | teryōri | a home-made dish |
| 手伝う | tetsudau | to help, assist |
| *下手な | heta na | poor, unskilled |
30
少
little; few
ショウ SHŌ すく • ない suku(nai) すこ • し suko(shi)
The character 少 combines small 小 with an added stroke representing a sword. Thus it is a small object being made even smaller.
GR2 N5 AP
Example Sentences
1. 少々お待ち下さい。
Shō shō omachi kudasai.
Please wait a moment.
2. 少年少女向きの本を書いています。
Shōnen shōjo-muki no hon o kaite imasu.
I am writing a book aimed at young boys and girls.
3. これは幼少の頃の写真です。
Kore wa yōshō no koro no shashin desu.
This is a photograph of me as a child.
4. 昔、ここは客が少ない喫茶店だった。
Mukashi, koko wa kyaku ga sukunai kissaten datta.
This used to be a coffee shop with few customers.
5. 頭が少し痛い。
Atama ga sukoshi itai.
I have a slight headache.
| Common Compounds and Phrases | ||
| 少々 | shōshō | a little; a short time |
| 少なめ | sukuname | a smaller quantity |
| 少女 | shōjo | a young girl |
| 減少 | genshō | a decrease; a reduction |
| 最少 | saishō | the fewest; the youngest |
| 多少 | tashō | more or less; rather |
| 青少年 | seishōnen | young people |
31
水
water
スイ SUI みず mizu
The character 水 represents the current and ripples of a river.
GR1 N5 AP
Example Sentences
1. 水道代を払わなければならない。
Suidōdai o harawanakereba naranai.
I have to pay the water bill.
2. 水銀電池を使う必要がない。
Suigin denchi o tsukau hitsuyō ga nai.
We don't need to use mercury batteries.
3. 月•水•金は茶道を習っている。
Ges-sui-kin wa sadō o naratte iru.
I study the tea ceremony on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
4. 冷たい水が飲みたい。
Tsumetai mizu ga nomitai.
I want to drink some cold water.
5. 水平線に夕日が沈むのを見た。
Suiheisen ni yūhi ga shizumu no o mita.
I watched the sun set over the horizon.
| Common Compounds and Phrases | ||
| 水道 | suidō | a water supply |
| 水銀 | suigin | mercury; Hg |
| 水曜日 | suiyōbi | Wednesday |
| 水泳 | suiei | swimming |
| 水平 | suihei | horizontal |
| 水上スキー | suijō skii | water skiing |
| 水玉 | mizutama | a drop; a dewdrop a dot pattern |
32
中
middle, inside
チュウ CHŪ*ジュウ JŪ なか naka
The character 中 represents an arrow penetrating the center of an object.
GR1 N5 AP
Example Sentences
1. 家は街の中心から少しはなれている。
Ie wa machi no chūshin kara sukoshi hanarete iru.
My house is a short distance from the center of town.
2. 彼は電話中です。
Kare wa denwa-chū desu.
He is on the phone.
3. 私立の中学校に通っている。
Shiritsu no chūgakkō ni kayotte iru.
I attend a private junior high school.
4. 体中が痛い。
Karada-jū ga itai.
I ache all over.
5. 冷蔵庫の中にビールが入っている。
Reizōko no naka ni biiru ga haitte iru.
There's beer in the refrigerator.
| Common Compounds and Phrases | ||
| 中心 | chūshin | the center; the middle |
| 電話中 | denwa-chū | on the phone |
| 中学校 | chūgakko | a junior high school; a middle school |
| 途中 | tochū | on the way; en route |
| 中指 | nakayubi | the middle finger |
| *体中 | karada-jū | all over (one's body) |
| *一日中 | ichinichi-jū | all day (long) |
33
天
heaven
テン TEN あめ ame *あま ama
The character 天 combines the characters 一 and 大.大 represents a person while 一 suggests that which is above a person, namely heaven.
GR1 N5 AP
Example Sentences
1. 今日はいい天気ですね。
Kyō wa ii tenki desu ne.
The weather's beautiful today, isn't it?
2. この部屋は天井が低い。
Kono heya wa tenjō ga hikui.
The ceiling in this room is low.
3. この石けんには天然香料が入っている。
Kono sekken ni wa tennen kōryō ga haitte iru.
This soap is naturally scented.
4. ぼくは天才じやないよ。
Boku wa tensai ja nai yo.
I'm no genius!
5. 今夜、天の川の写真を撮ってみよう。
Konya, amanogawa no shashin o totte miyō.
I'm going to take some photos of the Milky Way tonight.
| Common Compounds and Phrases | ||
| 天気 | tenki | the weather; fine weather |
| 天井 | tenjō | the ceiling; the roof |
| 天然 | tennen | nature; natural |
| 天文台 | tenmondai | an observatory |
| 天国 | tengoku | Heaven |
| 天野 | Amano | Amano (a name) |
| 天の川 | amanogawa | the Milky Way |
34
曰
day, sun
ニチ NICHI ジツ JITSU ひ hi か ka
The character 日 represents the shape of the sun.
GR1 N5 AP
Example Sentences
1. 日常会話には困りません。
Nichijō kaiwa ni wa komarimasen.
I have no problems with day-to-day conversation.
2. 彼女は映画の宣伝のため来日する。
Kanojo wa eiga no senden no tame rainichi suru.
She will visit Japan to promote her movie.
3. 先日はありがとうございました。
Senjitsu wa arigatō gozaimashita.
Thank you for (your help) the other day.
4. 今日は楽しかった。
Kyō wa tanoshikatta.
Today was fun.
5. 締め切りまであと三日しかない。
Shimekiri made ato mikka shika nai.
There are only three days until the deadline.
| Common Compounds and Phrases | ||
| 日常 | nichijō | daily; every day |
| 日本 | Nihon / Nippon | Japan |
| 日曜日 | Nichiyōbi | Sunday |
| 日記 | nikki | a diary; a journal |
| 先日 | senjitsu | the other day; a few days ago |
| 日付 | hizuke | a date; dating |
| *昨日 | kinō / sakujitsu | yesterday |
35
父
a father
フ FU ちち chichi
The character 父 derived from a pictograph of a hand gripping a stone axe, which represented someone with power, namely, a father.
GR1 N5 AP
Example Sentences
1. 祖父は九十歳です。
Sofu wa kyūjussai desu.
My grandfather is ninety years old.
2. 父は若い頃テニスの選手だった。
Chichi wa wakai koro tenisu no senshu datta.
In his younger days, my father was a tennis player.
3. お父さん、このふた開けて。
Otōsan, kono futa akete.
Dad, open this lid, will you?
4. こちらは叔父です。
Kochira wa oji desu.
This is my uncle.
5. 父の日のプレゼントはイ可がいいかな。
Chichi no Hi no purezento wa nani ga ii ka na.
I wonder what (present) I should get my father for Father's Day?
| Common Compounds and Phrases | ||
| 祖父 | sofu | a grandfather |
| 父母 | fubo | mother and father |
| 父兄 | fukei | parents; guardians |
| 神父 | shinpu | a priest; a father |
| 父の日 | Chichi no Hi | Father's Day |
| *叔父 | oji | an uncle |
| *お父さん | otōsan | a father; Father |
