Kanji
Kanji Foundations: Countries and regions
国と方角の漢字
Elementary
~35 min
~35 min
I can recognise basic country and regional direction words.
Can-do goal
I can recognise basic country and regional direction 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 国 | 8 | くに | country | この国 このくに — this country | A jewel 玉 is enclosed by a national border. |
| 外 | 5 | そと | outside | 外にいます そとにいます — be outside | The components point beyond the boundary. |
| 東 | 8 | ひがし | east | 東口 ひがしぐち — east exit | The sun rises through a tree in the east. |
| 西 | 6 | にし | west | 西口 にしぐち — west exit | The sun settles in the west. |
| 北 | 5 | きた | north | 北口 きたぐち — north exit | Two figures face away from each other. |
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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