Kanji
Kanji Foundations: Nature
自然の漢字
Elementary
~35 min
~35 min
I can recognise common nature kanji and their basic words.
Can-do goal
I can recognise common nature kanji and their basic words.
Learn kanji through words
Notice the shape and core meaning, then learn the reading used in the example word. A kanji may have other readings later.
| Kanji | Strokes | Target reading | Core meaning | Example word | Shape cue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 山 | 3 | やま | mountain | あの山 あのやま — that mountain | Three peaks form a mountain. |
| 川 | 3 | かわ | river | 川です かわです — it is a river | Three flowing lines form a river. |
| 木 | 4 | き | tree | 木の下 きのした — under a tree | Trunk, branches and roots form a tree. Contrast: 本 adds a short root mark to 木. |
| 水 | 4 | みず | water | 水をください みずをください — water, please | The side strokes splash from the centre. |
| 雨 | 8 | あめ | rain | 雨です あめです — it is raining | Drops fall inside a sky-like frame. |
Practice sequence
- Say the example word.
- Identify the kanji inside it.
- Recall its core meaning.
- Type the character from memory.
- Review again on a later day.
Log in to track your progress and mark lessons as complete.