Japan Kanji: What are they and how to learn them
If you are interested in learning Japanese, you have probably encountered kanji, the logographic characters that are derived from Chinese script. Kanji are not only essential for reading and writing Japanese, but also for understanding the rich history and culture of Japan. In this article, we will explore what kanji are, how they developed, how they are classified, how they are used, and how you can learn them effectively.
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Introduction
Kanji (漢字) literally means "Han characters", referring to the Han dynasty of China where they originated. Kanji are ideograms, which means that each character represents an idea, concept, or object. For example, the character means "Japan", literally "sun-origin".
Kanji are one of the three types of characters used in the Japanese writing system, along with hiragana and katakana, which are phonetic symbols that represent syllables. Hiragana and katakana are mainly used for grammatical elements, native words, foreign words, onomatopoeia, etc. Kanji are mainly used for nouns, verbs, adjectives, and other important words. For example, the sentence is "study", and the rest are hiragana.
There are more than 50,000 kanji characters in existence, but most of them are rarely used or obsolete. The Japanese government has published a list of jōyō kanji (常用漢字), which means "regular-use characters". There are currently 2,136 jōyō kanji that are taught in elementary and secondary schools in Japan. Most Japanese people can read and write these characters by the time they graduate from high school. However, there are also many other kanji that are used in specialized fields, such as literature, medicine, law, religion, etc. These are called hyōgai kanji (表外漢字), which means "outside-the-chart characters". There are also some kanji that are unique to Japan, which are called kokuji (国字), which means "national characters". For example, the character means "crossroad".
Learning kanji can be challenging, but also rewarding. Kanji can help you expand your vocabulary, improve your reading comprehension, and deepen your understanding of Japanese culture and history. Kanji can also enhance your memory, creativity, and logical thinking skills. Moreover, kanji can be fun and beautiful to look at and write. Many people enjoy learning kanji as a hobby or a passion.
The history of kanji
Kanji have a long and fascinating history that spans over two millennia. Kanji were originally created by the ancient Chinese people as a way of recording their language and thoughts. The earliest forms of kanji were pictographs, which were simple drawings of objects or animals. For example, the character means "bright", and it is composed of the characters for "sun" and "moon".
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japan wasei kanji (kanji made in Japan)
japan joyo kanji (commonly used kanji)
japan kokuji (national characters)
japan shinjitai (simplified characters)
japan kyujitai (traditional characters)
japan jinmeiyo kanji (kanji for personal names)
japan hyogai kanji (uncommon or obscure characters)
japan gairaigo (loanwords written in katakana)
japan furigana (small kana written above or beside a character)
japan okurigana (kana suffixes following a character)
japan ateji (phonetic use of characters regardless of meaning)
japan nanori (special readings for personal names)
japan kunyomi (native Japanese readings of characters)
Kanji were introduced to Japan around the 5th century AD by Buddhist monks and scholars who traveled from China. At that time, Japan did not have a writing system of its own, so the Japanese people adopted kanji to write their language. However, since Japanese and Chinese are very different languages, kanji had to be adapted and modified to fit the Japanese grammar and pronunciation. The Japanese people developed two ways of reading kanji: on'yomi (音読み) and kun'yomi (訓読み). On'yomi are the readings based on the original Chinese sounds, while kun'yomi are the readings based on the native Japanese words. For example, the character means "water", and it has two readings: on'yomi is "sui", and kun'yomi is "mizu" or "mi". Sometimes, kanji can have more than one on'yomi or kun'yomi depending on the region or period of origin.
Kanji also underwent many changes and reforms throughout history. Some kanji were simplified or abolished to make them easier to write or learn. Some kanji were created or imported to express new concepts or terms. Some kanji were influenced or borrowed by other languages, such as Korean, Vietnamese, or English. For example, the character means "electricity", and it was created in Japan in the 19th century by combining the characters for "thunder" and "field". The same character is also used in Chinese as "diàn" and in English as part of the word "denki", which means "electric appliance".
The types of kanji
Kanji are complex and diverse characters that have various features and functions. Kanji are composed of different elements that can help you understand their structure and meaning. Kanji have different readings and meanings that can change depending on the context and usage. Kanji can also be categorized by their shape, function, or origin.
The basic elements of kanji are called radicals (部首), which are smaller characters that can appear inside or outside of a larger character. Radicals often indicate the general category or meaning of a kanji. For example, the radical (life).
Kanji have different readings and meanings that can vary depending on the context and usage. As mentioned before, kanji have two types of readings: on'yomi and kun'yomi. On'yomi are usually used when kanji are part of compound words or technical terms, while kun'yomi are usually used when kanji are standalone words or part of native expressions. For example, the character means "action" or "behavior", and it uses the on'yomi reading for both characters.
Kanji can also be categorized by their shape, function, or origin. One way of categorizing kanji by their shape is by using the six principles of character formation (六書), which are: pictographs (象形), ideographs (指事), ideogrammatic compounds (会意), phonetic compounds (形声), derivative cognates (転注), and phonetic loans (仮借). Pictographs are characters that resemble the objects they represent, such as .
The examples of kanji
Kanji are versatile and expressive characters that can be used to form various words and sentences. Kanji can also be appreciated for their aesthetic and artistic value. In this section, we will look at some examples of kanji and how they are read and written. We will also see how kanji can be combined with other scripts and how they can convey different meanings and nuances.
To read and write kanji, you need to know their readings, meanings, and stroke order. As mentioned before, kanji have two types of readings: on'yomi and kun'yomi. Sometimes, you can guess the reading of a kanji based on its context or its components. For example, if a kanji is part of a compound word with another kanji, it is likely to use the on'yomi reading. If a kanji is followed by hiragana, it is likely to use the kun'yomi reading. However, there are also many exceptions and irregularities, so you need to memorize the readings of each kanji individually. For example, the character has four strokes, and they are written in this order and direction: .
To form words and sentences with kanji, you need to know how to combine them with other scripts and how to use them grammatically. As mentioned before, kanji are mainly used for nouns, verbs, adjectives, and other important words, while hiragana and katakana are mainly used for grammatical elements, native words, foreign words, onomatopoeia, etc. Sometimes, kanji can also be used for function words or onomatopoeia, especially in formal or literary contexts. For example, the word means "was high" or "was expensive", etc.
To recognize and appreciate the beauty and diversity of kanji, you need to know how to read and write different styles and variations of kanji. Kanji have different styles of writing depending on the medium, tool, purpose, or preference of the writer. Some of the common styles of writing kanji are: kaisho (楷書), which is the standard or regular style that is used in most printed materials; gyōsho (行書), which is the semi-cursive or running style that is used for faster or more casual writing; sōsho (草書), which is the cursive or grass style that is used for artistic or expressive writing; and tensho (篆書), which is the seal or ancient style that is used for stamps or logos. For example, the character means "bird", and it has different variations like this: .
The learning of kanji
Kanji are challenging but rewarding characters that can be learned by anyone who has the interest and motivation. Kanji are learned by Japanese students at school and at home, and by foreign learners in various settings and methods. Kanji can also be learned by using various resources and tools that can help you master them.
Japanese students learn kanji at school and at home from an early age. They follow a curriculum that introduces kanji gradually and systematically, starting from the first grade of elementary school until the third year of high school. They learn the readings, meanings, stroke order, and usage of each kanji, as well as the vocabulary and sentences that contain them. They also practice writing kanji by hand and reading kanji aloud. They take tests and exams to assess their kanji proficiency and progress. They also learn kanji at home by doing homework, reading books, watching TV, playing games, etc. They are exposed to kanji in their daily life and environment, such as signs, labels, menus, newspapers, magazines, etc.
Foreign learners can learn kanji effectively and enjoyably by following some tips and strategies. They can start by learning the basic and common kanji that are used frequently in everyday situations. They can learn the radicals, strokes, components, readings, meanings, and usage of each kanji. They can also learn the words and sentences that contain them. They can practice writing kanji by hand and typing kanji on a keyboard. They can also practice reading kanji aloud and listening to kanji spoken by native speakers. They can review and reinforce their kanji knowledge by using flashcards, quizzes, games, etc. They can also learn kanji in context by reading texts, watching videos, listening to podcasts, etc. They can also learn kanji in relation to their interests, hobbies, goals, etc.
To master kanji, you can use various resources and tools that can help you learn them efficiently and effectively. Some of the resources and tools are: dictionaries, which are books or websites that provide information about the readings, meanings, usage, stroke order, etc. of each kanji; textbooks, which are books or courses that teach kanji systematically and progressively; workbooks, which are books or exercises that provide practice for writing and reading kanji; apps, which are applications or software that offer interactive and engaging ways of learning and reviewing kanji; websites, which are online platforms or communities that provide information, advice, support, etc. for learning kanji; blogs, which are online journals or articles that share personal experiences, stories, tips, etc. for learning kanji; podcasts, which are audio programs or episodes that discuss topics related to learning kanji; videos, which are visual media or clips that show examples or demonstrations of learning kanji; games, which are fun activities or challenges that test or improve your kanji skills; art, which are creative expressions or works that showcase the beauty or diversity of kanji.
Conclusion
Kanji are fascinating and important characters that represent the Japanese language and culture. Kanji have a long and complex history that spans over two millennia. Kanji have various types and features that make them unique and diverse. Kanji have different examples and uses that make them versatile and expressive. Kanji have different methods and resources that make them learnable and enjoyable.
If you want to learn Japanese, you should not be afraid or intimidated by kanji. Kanji are not impossible or boring to learn. Kanji are possible and interesting to learn. You just need to have the curiosity and the motivation to explore and discover the world of kanji. You just need to have the patience and the perseverance to practice and review the kanji you learn. You just need to have the fun and the passion to enjoy and appreciate the kanji you see.
Kanji are not just characters. Kanji are symbols of meaning and sound. Kanji are expressions of art and culture. Kanji are windows of history and knowledge. Kanji are keys to communication and understanding.
So, what are you waiting for? Start your kanji journey today and see how far you can go!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about kanji:
What is the difference between kanji, hiragana, and katakana?
Kanji, hiragana, and katakana are the three types of characters used in the Japanese writing system. Kanji are logographic characters that represent ideas, concepts, or objects. Hiragana and katakana are phonetic symbols that represent syllables. Hiragana and katakana have 46 basic characters each, plus some variations and combinations. Hiragana are used for native words, grammatical elements, etc. Katakana are used for foreign words, onomatopoeia, etc.
What is the best way to memorize kanji?
There is no one best way to memorize kanji, as different learners may have different preferences, styles, or goals. However, some general tips that can help you memorize kanji are: learn the radicals, strokes, components, readings, meanings, and usage of each kanji; use mnemonics, stories, images, or associations to remember the shape and meaning of a kanji; review and reinforce your kanji knowledge by using flashcards, quizzes, games, etc.; learn kanji in context by reading texts, watching videos, listening to podcasts, etc.; learn kanji in relation to your interests, hobbies, goals, etc.
How long does it take to learn all the kanji?
It depends on how you define "all the kanji" and how you measure your learning progress. If you mean all the jōyō kanji (2,136 characters), it may take you several years of consistent study and practice to learn them. If you mean all the existing kanji (over 50,000 characters), it may take you a lifetime or more to learn them. However, you don't need to learn all the kanji to be able to read and write Japanese. You can start with the most common and useful kanji that appear frequently in everyday situations. You can also focus on the kanji that are relevant to your needs or interests. You can also use dictionaries or tools to look up unfamiliar or rare kanji when you encounter them.
What are some common mistakes or challenges when learning kanji?
Some common mistakes or challenges when learning kanji are: confusing similar-looking or similar-sounding kanji; mixing up different readings or meanings of a kanji; forgetting the stroke order or direction of a kanji; writing a kanji incorrectly or illegibly; not reviewing or using the kanji you learn; not learning enough vocabulary or grammar with the kanji; not exposing yourself to enough authentic materials or native speakers with the kanji.
Where can I find more information or help about kanji?
You can find more information or help about kanji from various sources, such as: dictionaries, textbooks, workbooks, apps, websites, blogs, podcasts, videos, games, art, etc. You can also find more information or help about kanji from other people, such as: teachers, tutors , friends, classmates, online forums, etc. You can also find more information or help about kanji from yourself, such as: your own curiosity, motivation, goals, etc. 44f88ac181
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