Kanji
Kanji Foundations: Communication
伝える漢字
Elementary
~35 min
~35 min
I can recognise basic kanji used for writing, speaking, names and questions.
Can-do goal
I can recognise basic kanji used for writing, speaking, names and questions.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 書 | 10 | か | write | 名前を書きます なまえをかきます — write a name | A writing brush forms the stacked shape. |
| 話 | 13 | はな | speak / talk | 日本語を話します にほんごをはなします — speak Japanese | Speech 言 combines with tongue 舌. |
| 言 | 7 | い | say / word | 言います いいます — say | Lines of words emerge from a mouth. |
| 名 | 6 | な | name | 名前 なまえ — name | A mouth identifies someone in the evening. |
| 何 | 7 | なん | what | 何ですか なんですか — what is it? | The person radical stands beside 可. |
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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