Kanji
Kanji Foundations: Integrated reading
漢字総合読み
Elementary
~35 min
~35 min
I can decode short A1 messages containing familiar foundational kanji.
Can-do goal
I can decode short A1 messages containing familiar foundational kanji.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 本 | 5 | ほん | book / origin | 日本 にほん — Japan | A mark at the root of 木 indicates origin. Contrast: 本 has a root mark that 木 does not. |
| 今 | 4 | いま | now | 今は七時です いまはしちじです — it is seven now | A cover sits over the contained moment. |
| 友 | 4 | とも | friend | 友だち ともだち — friend | Two hands meet and cooperate. |
| 気 | 6 | き | spirit / air | 元気です げんきです — is well / energetic | Air-like strokes surround the inner mark. |
| 行 | 6 | い | go | 学校に行きます がっこうにいきます — go to school | A crossroads suggests movement. |
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.
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