ISORI

Kanji

Building block:

Characters that carry a meaning as well as a sound, like 山(やま) (mountain). Most words use them, often mixed with hiragana.

How it works

  • There are a few thousand in common use. You learn them gradually, after the kana.
  • While you learn, readings sit above the kanji as furigana.
  • Hiragana often follows a kanji to finish the word: 食(た)べる.

Examples

日本(にほん)(Japan)
食(た)べる(to eat)