Kanji
Kanji Foundations: Basic descriptions
基本的な描写の漢字
Elementary
~35 min
~35 min
I can recognise common kanji that describe age, length, quantity and colour.
Can-do goal
I can recognise common kanji that describe age, length, quantity and colour.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 古 | 5 | ふる | old | 古い本 ふるいほん — old book | Ten 十 sits over mouth 口, suggesting old stories. |
| 長 | 8 | なが | long / leader | 長い道 ながいみち — long road | The extended final stroke gives a long shape. |
| 多 | 6 | おお | many | 人が多いです ひとがおおいです — there are many people | Two evening shapes stack into many. |
| 少 | 4 | すく | few / little | 人が少ないです ひとがすくないです — there are few people | Small 小 loses a stroke, leaving fewer. |
| 白 | 5 | しろ | white | 白い車 しろいくるま — white car | A bright drop appears above the sun-like box. |
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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