Kanji

Learning kanji is essential for improving your Japanese reading skills and professionalism. Despite being time-consuming, it is a crucial aspect of mastering the Japanese language. Kanji, a writing system adopted from the Chinese language, is extensively used in Japanese and comprises various components that require learning.

What is Kanji?

Kanji characters are not part of an alphabet but rather a vital element of everyday Japanese writing. The term "kanji" translates to "Chinese characters," and each character can have multiple meanings. Understanding kanji involves learning furigana, okurigana, radicals, and onyomi and kunyomi, with JLPT testing proficiency levels along with grammar and vocabulary to assess fluency.

Radicals

Learning about the 214 radicals composing kanji is the initial step in mastering this writing system. These radicals act as the building blocks of kanji, similar to the compounds in the English language, and each has its own meaning. For example, the radical for "tree" also serves as the kanji for "forest," demonstrating how radicals combine to form new meanings.

N Levels

Kanji proficiency levels are divided into N5 (easiest) to N1 (most challenging). Each level corresponds to a certain degree of understanding Japanese, ranging from basic to nearly native proficiency.

• N1: The ability to understand complex Japanese used in various contexts
• N2: Comprehension of Japanese in everyday situations
• N3: Understanding Japanese in a variety of circumstances
• N4: Basic comprehension of Japanese
• N5: Understanding basic Japanese language skills

For further details on these levels, more information is available on this website.

Onyomi and Kunyomi

Onyomi and kunyomi refer to the different readings of Japanese kanji characters. Onyomi, derived from Chinese, are written in katakana and are used when two kanji are combined. Conversely, kunyomi, original to Japan, are written in hiragana and are used when a kanji is alone or followed by hiragana. Both readings have exceptions, and it is essential to understand their usage.

Okurigana and Furigana

Okurigana consists of hiragana following a kanji, altering its meaning and pronunciation. On the other hand, furigana involves placing hiragana above a kanji to assist in learning kanji characters or to aid those who do not understand them.

For a more in-depth understanding of these concepts, visit this site.

By utilizing these resources and understanding Japanese kanji, learners can enhance their language proficiency and reading skills. Whether through free websites, PDFs, or quizzes, these tools provide a comprehensive approach to mastering kanji, contributing to a deeper appreciation of the Japanese language.