A Guide to Reading and Writing Japanese Fourth Edition

185–189 • ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS

ද CHI; ike, pond, lake

185 㟁ụ denchi, electric cell,
6 strokes ụ␁ battery
⏝Ỉụ chihan, side of a pond,
ඪ around a pond
yǀsuichi, reservoir
186
8 strokes

඿ CHI; shi(ru), to know; shi(raseru),
to inform
187
9 strokes ▱㆑ chishiki, knowledge
▱ே chijin, an acquaintance
෇ ᢎ▱ shǀchi, assent, agreement

188
9 strokes
CHA, tea, tea plant, SA
ෳ
ⲔⰍ cha-iro, light brown
189 Ⲕࡢ‫ ‮‬cha-no-yu, tea ceremony
8 strokes Ⲕࢃࢇ chawan, teacup, rice bowl



CHNj; hiru, noon, daytime

᫨㛫 hiruma, daytime
᫨ኪ
᫨㣗 chnjya, day and night
chnjshoku, noon meal, lunch



CHƿ; head of an institution or
organization; naga(i), long
⣽㛗࠸ hosonagai, long and narrow
㛗ࡄࡘ nagagutsu, boots
ᰯ㛗 kǀchǀ, principal of a school



38

෵ ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS • 190–194

190 CHƿ; tori, bird
11 strokes 㫽㢮 chǀrui, birds (as a species)
ᑠ㫽 kotori, small bird
෥ Ώࡾ㫽 wataridori, migratory bird

191
12 strokes
CHƿ; asa, morning
෸
ᮅห chǀkan, morning paper
192 ᮅ㣗 chǀshoku, breakfast
8 strokes ẖᮅ mai-asa, every morning

ฆ

193 CHOKU, upright, honest, cheap; JIKI,
10 strokes direct; tada(chini), immediately;
nao(su), to repair, to put right, to
ษ convert; nao(ru), to be repaired, to
change for the better
194
7 strokes ┤ゅ chokkaku, right angle
ṇ┤
⣲┤ shǀjiki, honesty
sunao, gentle, obedient

TSNj; tǀ(ru), to go along, to pass;
tǀ(su), to let pass, to continue;
kayo(u), to go back and forth,
to commute

኱㏻ࡾ ǀ-dǀri, main street

㏻ಙ tsnjshin, correspondence,

communication

㏻ヂ tsnjyaku, interpreter

TEI, DAI; otǀto, younger brother

඗ᘵ kyǀdai, brothers
ᘵጒ teimai, younger brothers

and sisters



39

195–199 • ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS

๑ TEN; mise, store

195 ᗑ␒ miseban, tending a store
8 strokes ၟᗑ
኎ᗑ shǀten, store (shop)
๘ baiten, stand, stall

196
9 strokes
TEN, point, marks, dot
๝
Ⅼᩘ tensnj, merit marks
197 ⅬᏐ tenji, braille points
13 strokes Ỵ຾Ⅼ kesshǀten, goal

๹

198 DEN lightning, electricity
2 strokes
㟁Ẽ denki, electricity
๷ 㟁ヰ denwa, telephone
㟁ሗ denpǀ, telegram
199
5 strokes

Tƿ; katana, sword

ᑠย kogatana, pocketknife
኱ย
㌷ย daitǀ, long sword
guntǀ, sabre



Tƿ; fuyu, winter
෤ఇࡳ fuyuyasumi, winter vacation
෤╀ tǀmin, hibernation
෤ᮇ tǀki, winter season



40

ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS • 200–204

ຎ Tƿ; a(taru), to hit, to be equal to,
to win (v.i.); a(teru), to hit, to apply,
200
6 strokes to guess (v.t.)

ຄ ぢᙜ kentǀ, guess
ᡭᙜ teate, treatment, allowance
201 ᙜ↛ tǀzen, justly, naturally
8 strokes

ຒ
Tƿ; higashi, east
202
12 strokes ᮾഃ higashigawa, east side
ᮾὒ
ຢ ໭ᮾ tǀyǀ, the East, the Orient
hokutǀ, northeast
203
16 strokes

ວ Tƿ; kota(e), answer; kota(eru), to
answer
204
6 strokes ⟅᱌ tǀan, examination paper
ၥ⟅ mondǀ, questions and

answers
ゎ⟅ kaitǀ, answer, solution



Tƿ, ZU; atama, head, top, brain;
kashira, head, top, leader

ඛ㢌 sentǀ, leader, head
ᩍ㢌 kyǀtǀ, head teacher
㢌③ zutsnj, headache



Dƿ; ona(ji), same

ྠ᫬ dǀji, the same time
ྠ᝟ dǀjǀ, sympathy
୍ྠ ichidǀ, all (of us, them),
all the persons concerned



41

205–209 • ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS

ັ Dƿ; michi, road, path

205 Ỉ㐨 suidǀ, waterworks
12 strokes 㐨ල dǀgu, tool
㕲㐨 tetsudǀ, railroad
຿

206
14 strokes DOKU, TOKU; yo(mu), to read

໘ ㄞ⪅ dokusha, reader (person)
ㄞ᭩ dokusho, reading
207 ㄞࡳ㏉ࡍ yomikaesu, to reread
4 strokes

໤
NAI, DAI; uchi, inside, home,
208 within, during, among, between
9 strokes
᱌ෆ annai, guidance, invitation
໯ ෆᾏ uchiumi, naikai, inland sea
ෆᐜ naiyǀ, contents
209
6 strokes

NAN; minami, south

༡㒊 nanbu, southern part
༡ᴟ Nankyoku, South Pole
す༡ seinan, southwest



NIKU, meat, Àesh

∵⫗ gynjniku, beef
➽⫗ kinniku, muscles
⫗ᒇ
nikuya, butcher, butcher

shop



42

༣ ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS • 210–214

210 BA; uma, horse
10 strokes 㤿㌴ basha, carriage
➇㤿ሙ keibajǀ, race track
༸

211
7 strokes BAI; u(ri), sale; u(ru), to sell
኎ࡾฟࡋ uridashi, opening sale,
༷
bargain sale
212 ၟ኎ shǀbai, business
12 strokes Ⓨ኎ hatsubai, sale

དྷ

213 BAI; ka(u), to buy, to purchase
7 strokes ኎㈙ baibai, purchase and sale,

཰ buying and selling
㈙࠸≀ kaimono, shopping
214 ㈙࠸ᡭ kaite, buyer
5 strokes


BAKU; mugi, barley, wheat
㯏ࢃࡽ mugiwara, (barley) straw
㯏สࡾ mugikari, mowing barley
ᑠ㯏 komugi, wheat



HAN; naka(ba), half
༙ศ hanbun, half
୍᫬༙ ichiji-han, one-thirty, half-

past one
༙ᓥ hantǀ, peninsula



43

215–219 • ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS

ྈ BAN, number, guard, order, (one‫ތ‬s)
turn
215
12 strokes ␒⤌ bangumi, program
஺␒
࿳ 㡰␒ kǀban, police-box
junban, order, one‫ތ‬s turn
216
4 strokes

ဇ FU; chichi, father

217 ∗඗఍ fukeikai, parents‫ތ‬
9 strokes association

ယ ♽∗ sofu, grandfather
∗ẕ fubo, parents
218
4 strokes

ဧ FNj; kaze, wind

219 㢼ᬒ fnjkei, scenery
14 strokes ྎ㢼 taifnj, typhoon
༡㢼 minamikaze, south wind



BUN, BU, part, share; FUN, a minute;
wa(keru) (v.t.), to divide; wa(kareru),
to be separated, to branch off;
wa(karu), to know, to understand

⮬ศ jibun, self
஧ศ nifun, two minutes
༑ศ jippun, ten minutes

BUN; ki(ku), to hear, to listen to, to
ask, to obey; ki(koeru), to be heard

᪂⪺ shinbun, newspaper

᪂⪺♫ shinbunsha, newspaper

of¿ce

ぢ⪺ kenbun, information,

experience

44

ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS • 220–224

ဴ BEI America, rice; MAI rice; kome,
rice
220
6 strokes ⡿ᅜ Beikoku, America, the
United States
ၐ ⡿స beisaku, rice-growing (crop)
ⓑ⡿ hakumai, polished rice
221
8 strokes

ၚ HO, BU; ayu(mu), aru(ku), to walk,
to step
222
5 strokes ➨୍Ṍ dai-ippo, the ¿rst step
㐍Ṍ shinpo, progress
ၫ ᩓṌ sanpo, a walk, a stroll

223
4 strokes
BO; haha, mother
႘
ẕࡢ᪥ Haha-no-hi, Mother‫ތ‬s Day
224 ẕᅜ bokoku, mother country
5 strokes ẕぶ haha-oya, mother



Hƿ, direction, side; kata [gata],
side, way of ~ing, person

୧᪉ ryǀhǀ, both sides
సࡾ᪉ tsukurikata, way of making
ኤ᪉ ynjgata, evening



HOKU; kita, north

໭ᴟ Hokkyoku, North Pole
༡໭ nanboku, north and south
໭㢼 kitakaze, north wind



45

225–229 • ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS

Ⴔ MAI every (pre¿x)

225 ẖ᪥ mainichi, every day
6 strokes ẖᮅ mai-asa, every morning
ẖ㐌 maishnj, every week
Ⴑ

226
8 strokes MAI; imǀto, younger sister

჈ ᘵጒ teimai, younger brothers and
ጜጒ sisters
227 shimai, sisters
3 strokes

ც
MAN, ten thousand; BAN
228
8 strokes ୓ᖺ➹ mannenhitsu, fountain pen
୓୍ manҲichi, if by any chance
ხ ୓ᅜ bankoku, all countries

229
14 strokes
MEI, MYƿ bright; aka(rui), light,
bright; aki(raka), bright; a(keru),

to dawn, to break (day); a(kasu), to

disclose (a secret), to pass the night

ኪ᫂ࡅ yoake, dawn
ㄝ᫂ setsumei, explanation

Ⓨ᫂ hatsumei, invention

MEI; na(ku), to sing (birds), to cry
(animals), to howl (animals), to chirp
(insects); na(ru) (v.i.), to ring, to sound;
na(rasu) (v.t.), to ring (a bell), to sound
(a drum), to complain, to be famous

㬆ࡁኌ nakigoe, cry (of animals)

ᝒ㬆 himei, scream, cry of distress

㬆ື meidǀ, rumbling

46

ჽ ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS • 230–234

230 Mƿ; ke, hair
4 strokes ẟ⣒ keito, woolen thread, yarn
ẟ⹸ kemushi, caterpillar
ᄑ ẟᕸ mǀfu, blanket

231
8 strokes
MON, gate; kado, gate
ᄕ
ᰯ㛛 kǀmon, school gate
232 ᑓ㛛 senmon, specialty
8 strokes 㛛ཱྀ
kadoguchi, door, entrance
ᄘ

233
11 strokes YA; yo, yoru, evening, night

ᄯ ኪ୰ yonaka, midnight
༑஬ኪ jnjgoya, night of the full
234
4 strokes moon
௒ኪ konҲya, tonight



YA; no, ¿eld, plain

㔝ཎ nohara, ¿eld
㔝⌫
㔝እ yakynj, baseball
yagai, outdoors



YNj; tomo, friend

཭ࡔࡕ tomodachi, friend
཭ே ynjjin, friend
཭᝟ ynjjǀ, friendship



47

235–239 • ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS

ᅙ Yƿ, business; mochi(iru), to use

235 ⏝ព yǀi, preparation
5 strokes ⏝ᚰ yǀjin, heed, care, caution
⏝஦ yǀji, business
ᅓ

236
18 strokes Yƿ term used for days of the week

ᅰ ᮌ᭙᪥ mokuyǀbi, Thursday
ᅵ᭙᪥ doyǀbi, Saturday
237 Ỉ᭙᪥ suiyǀbi, Wednesday
7 strokes

ᆊ
RAI; ku(ru), to come; kita(ru),
238 to arrive, next; kita(su), to cause,
7 strokes to induce

ᆅ ᮶ᖺ rainen, next year
௨᮶ irai, since, from that time
239 ᑗ᮶ shǀrai, the future
11 strokes


RI, Japanese linear unit (2.44 miles);
sato village, country, one‫ތ‬s native
home (usually as viewed by a woman
married into another family)

㒓㔛 kyǀri, one‫ތ‬s native place,
home

ᮧ㔛 murazato, village
୍㔛 ichiri, one ri

RI, reason, logic

⌮ゎ rikai, understanding
ᩚ⌮ seiri, arrangement,
adjustment
ᩱ⌮ ryǀri, cooking



48

ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS • 240–244

ሇ WA; hanashi, story; hana(su),
to speak
240
13 strokes ୡヰ sewa, aid
㟁ヰ denwa, telephone
‫ڏ‬ ఍ヰ kaiwa, conversation

241
11 strokes
AKU, badness, evil; waru(i), bad,
‫ڤ‬ evil

242 ᝏཱྀ warukuchi, evil talk, gossip
6 strokes ᝏே akunin, bad man, villain
ᝏ㊰ akuro, bad road
‫ڧ‬

243
13 strokes AN; yasu(i), cheap, inexpensive

‫ۇ‬ Ᏻᚰ anshin, peace of mind
Ᏻ඲ anzen, safe
244 ୙Ᏻ fuan, uneasiness
7 strokes


AN; kura(i), dark

┿ࡗᬯ makkura, pitch dark
ᬯྕ angǀ, code, cryptograph
ᬯグ anki, memorization



I to heal, to cure

་⪅ isha, physician, doctor
་Ꮫ
་㝔 igaku, medical science

i-in, medical practitioner‫ތ‬s
of¿ce



49

245–249 • ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS

‫ڳ‬ I; yuda(neru), to entrust with

245 ጤဨ i-in, committee, delegate
8 strokes ጤဨ㛗 i-inchǀ, chairman of a

‫ڷ‬ committee

246 ጤ௵ i-nin, charge, trust,
13 strokes commission

‫ۋ‬

247 I, mind, heart, attention, care
8 strokes
ὀព chnji, care, attention
ۙ ពぢ iken, opinion, admonition
ព࿡
248 imi, meaning
10 strokes

ۡ
IKU; haguku(mu), brood over (one’s
249 chicks), soda(teru), to bring up,
10 strokes to educate, to raise; soda(tsu), to
grow up

ᩍ⫱ kyǀiku, education
య⫱ tai-iku, physical education
⫱ඣ ikuji, upbringing of a
child

IN member, of¿cial, personnel

‶ဨ manҲin, no vacancy, full
house
୍ဨ
⫋ဨ ichi-in, (one) member

shokuin, staff, personnel



IN temple, academy, board, suf¿x
for “institution”

⑓㝔 byǀin, hospital

⨾ᐜ㝔 biyǀin, beauty shop

ୗ㝔 ka-in, House of

Representatives, Lower

House

50

‫۝‬ ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS • 250–254

250 IN; no(mu), to drink
12 strokes 㣧ᩱỈ inryǀsui drinking water
㣧ࡳỈ nomimizu, drinking water
‫ۿ‬ 㣧ࡳ≀ nomimono, drinks

251
12 strokes
UN, luck; hako(bu), to carry, to
‫܋‬ transport

252 㐠ࡼࡃ unҲyoku, luckily
8 strokes 㐠ື undǀ, exercise, motion
㐠࿨ unmei, fate
‫ܘ‬

253
14 strokes EI; oyo(gu), to swim

ܻ ỈὋ suiei, swimming
ᖹὋࡂ hira-oyogi, breast stroke
254 ỈὋ኱఍ suiei taikai, swimming
5 strokes
meet



EKI, station

㥐๓ ekimae, in front of the

㥐㛗 station
㥐ဨ
ekichǀ, station master
eki-in, station employee



ƿ center, middle

୰ኸ chnjǀ, center
୰ኸ⥺ Chnjǀ-sen, the Chnjǀ Line

(electric railway in Tǀkyǀ)
㟈ኸ shinҲǀ, the epicenter, the

center of an earthquake



51

255–259 • ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS

݁ ƿ; yoko, the side, the width

255 ᶓ᭩ࡁ yokogaki, writing from left
15 strokes to right

‫ݎ‬ ᶓ᩿ ǀdan, crossing, intersection
ᶓ㢦 yokogao, side view of a
256
9 strokes person‫ތ‬s face, pro¿le

‫ݗ‬

257 OKU; ya, shop
12 strokes
ᒇ᰿ yane, roof
‫ݛ‬ ᫬ィᒇ tokeiya, watch shop
ᒇୖ okujǀ, housetop, roof
258
4 strokes

‫ݷ‬ ON; warm; atata(kai), warm (to
the touch); atata(maru), to warm
259 oneself; atata(meru), to heat
10 strokes
 ᗘ ondo, temperature
 Ἠ onsen, hot spring
య  taion, body temperature



KA, KE; ba(keru), to take the form
of; ba(kasu), to bewitch

ኚ໬ henka, change, variation,
alteration
໬Ꮫ kagaku, chemistry
໬⢝ keshǀ, make-up



KA; ni, a load, burden

Ⲵ≀ nimotsu, baggage
Ⲵ⯪ nibune, freighter
Ⲵసࡾ nizukuri, packing



52

‫ޢ‬ ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS • 260–264

260 KAI world
9 strokes ୡ⏺ sekai, world
ୡ⏺୍ sekai-ichi, best in the world
ާ 㝈⏺ genkai, boundary, limits

261
12 strokes
KAI; hira(ku), to open (v.t. & i.);
ި a(keru) (v.t.), to open; hira(keru), to
be civilized, to open; a(ku) (v.i.) to be
262 open
12 strokes
㛤఍ kaikai, opening a meeting
ࠂ ‶㛤
㛤Ⓨ mankai, full bloom
263
12 strokes kaihatsu, development,

ࠐ exploitation

264 KAI, story of a building, Àoor, grade
13 strokes
㝵ẁ kaidan, stairs, stairway
㝵⣭
୕㝵 kaikynj, class, caste
sangai, 3rd Àoor



KAN, the coldest season of the year;
samu(i), cold

ᴟᐮ gokkan, bitter cold
ᐮ୰
ᐮὶ kanchnj, cold season
kanrynj, cold current



KAN, feeling, thought

ឤ᝿ kansǀ, thoughts,
impressions
ឤᚰ
ឤぬ kanshin, admiration

kankaku, sensation



53

265–269 • ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS

ࠛ KAN China; ~kan, suf¿x for “man”

265 ₎Ꮠ kanji, Chinese character
13 strokes ₎ᩥ kanbun, Chinese
composition
࠵ ᝏ₎ akkan, villain, crook

266
16 strokes
KAN, building, hall; yakata,
࠹ mansion

267 ᅗ᭩㤋 toshokan, library
8 strokes ᫎ⏬㤋 eigakan, movie theater
᪑㤋 ryokan, inn, hotel
ࡧ

268
10 strokes GAN; kishi, bank, shore

ࡖ ᾏᓊ kaigan, seashore
ᓊቨ ganpeki, quay, wharf
269 ᕝᓊ kawagishi, riverbank
12 strokes


KI; o(kiru), to rise, to get up;
o(kosu), to raise, to awaken (v.t.);
o(koru), to occur, to develop

᪩㉳ࡁ hayaoki, early rising
㉳ཎ kigen, origin
㉳㔜ᶵ kijnjki, crane, derrick



KI, GO period, term

Ꮫᮇ gakki, school term
ᮇᚅ kitai, expectation
᫬ᮇ jiki, the times, season



54

ࢊ ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS • 270–274

270 KYAKU, guest; KAKU
9 strokes ࠾ᐈࡉࢇ o-kyaku-san, guest
ᐈ㌴ࡾ kyakusha, railroad
࢞
passenger car
271 ᐈ⯪ kyakusen, passenger boat
7 strokes

࢖
KYNj study; kiwa(meru), to study
272 thoroughly
9 strokes ◊✲ kenkynj, research
◊✲఍ kenkynjkai, research society
ࢡ ◊✲ᐙ kenkynjka, researcher

273
9 strokes
KYNj; iso(gu), to hurry
࢔ ᛴ⑓ kynjbyǀ, sudden illness
ᛴ⾜ kynjkǀ, express
274 ኱ᛴࡂ ǀ-isogi, great haste
10 strokes


KYNj, rank, grade
Ꮫ⣭ gakkynj, school class
ୖ⣭ jǀkynj, high class
ྠ⣭⏕ dǀkynjsei, classmate



KYNj, GNj, KU; miya, shrine, prince
(of the blood)

ᐑẊ kynjden, palace
⚄ᐑ jingnj, Shintǀ shrine
ᐑᵝ miya-sama, royal prince



55

275–279 • ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS

࢝ KYNj, sphere, globe; tama, ball

275 㔝⌫ yakynj, baseball
11 strokes ᆅ⌫ chikynj, the earth, the globe
㟁⌫ denkynj, electric light bulb
ࢦ

276
5 strokes KYO, KO past; sa(ru), to leave, to
depart
࣌
ཤᖺ kyonen, last year
277 㐣ཤ kako, the past, past tense
16 strokes

ࣞ
KYƿ; hashi, bridge
278
13 strokes ᱞᶫ sanbashi, pier
ᅵᶫ dobashi, earthen bridge
࣠ 㕲ᶫ tekkyǀ, iron bridge

279
6 strokes
GYƿ, occupation, business, industry,
studies; Gƿ, karma; waza, act, deed

⫋ᴗ shokugyǀ, occupation,
profession
⏘ᴗ
ᕤᴗ sangyǀ, industry
kǀgyǀ, industry, manu-

facturing industry

KYOKU, melody; ma(garu), to bend,
to twist, to turn, (v.i.); ma(geru), to
bend, to twist, to turn (v.t.)

᭤⥺ kyokusen, curved line
స᭤ sakkyoku, musical

composition
᭤ࡀࡾ㐨 magarimichi, crooked

road, winding lane

56

ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS • 280–284

ࣟ KYOKU, bureau, board, of¿ce,
department
280
7 strokes ᨺ㏦ᒁ hǀsǀkyoku, broadcasting
station
ࣺ
⦅㞟ᒁ henshnjkyoku, editorial
281 department
14 strokes
㒑౽ᒁ ynjbinkyoku, post of¿ce
ࣾ

282
4 strokes GIN, silver

ं 㖟⾜ ginkǀ, bank
㖟Ⰽ ginҲiro, silver color
283 㖟㈌ ginka, silver coin
8 strokes

इ
KU, ward, section
284
8 strokes ༊ู k ubetsu, distinction,
classi¿cation

ᆅ༊ chiku, area
༊⏬ kukaku, boundary, block,

division



KU, pain, anxiety; kuru(shii),
painful; niga(i), bitter

ⱞປ kurǀ, troubles, toil
ⱞᚰ kushin, pains, hard work
ⱞᡓ
kusen, hard ¿ghting



GU, tool, utensil; ingredients
㐨ල dǀgu, tool, utensil,

instrument
ලྜ guai, condition, state
ලయⓗ gutaiteki, concrete, de¿nite



57

285–289 • ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS

ण KUN Mister, Master; kimi, you
(familiar form)
285
7 strokes బ⸨ྩ Satǀ-kun, Mr. Satǀ
㈗ྩ kikun, you (lit., masc.)
ब ㅖྩ shokun, gentlemen, ladies

286 and gentlemen, you
9 strokes

ॎ
KEI; kakari, charge, duty, in charge
287 (of); kaka(ru), to affect, to concern
12 strokes
ಀဨ kakari-in, clerk in charge
ॠ 㛵ಀ kankei, relation, connection,
participation, implication
288 グ㘓ಀ kirokugakari, person in
6 strokes charge of records,
recorder
ड़
KEI; karu, karu(i), light (in weight),
289 slight, easy; karo(yaka), airy, light
7 strokes
㍍༞ keisotsu, rashness, hastiness
㍍㡢ᴦ kei-ongaku, light music
Ẽ㍍ kigaru, light-hearted



KETSU; chi, blood

⾑ᾮ ketsueki, blood
ฟ⾑ shukketsu, bleeding,
hemorrhage
⾑⟶ kekkan, blood vessel



KETSU; ki(maru), to be decided;
ki(meru), to decide

Ỵᚰ kesshin, making up one‫ތ‬s
mind
Ỵᐃ kettei, decision
ゎỴ kaiketsu, solution



58

ॸ ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS • 290–294

290 KEN study; to(gu), to sharpen, to
9 strokes wash (rice)
◊✲ kenkynj, study, research
ॻ ◊✲ᐊ kenkynjshitsu, laboratory
◊✲ᡤ kenkynjjo, research institute
291
9 strokes

ঝ KEN, prefecture
┴㐨 kendǀ, prefectural road
292 ┴ᗇ kenchǀ, prefectural of¿ce
10 strokes ┴▱஦ kenchiji, prefectural

ঢ governor

293
12 strokes
KO warehouse
৐ ᭩ᗜ shoko, library
಴ᗜ sǀko, warehouse
294 ෭ⶶᗜ reizǀko, icebox, refrigerator
6 strokes


KO; mizu-umi, lake

†Ỉ kosui, lake
†ᓊ kogan, shore of a lake
†␁ kohan, border of a lake



Kƿ; mu(ku), to turn toward, to be
suited for; mu(kau), to face, to head
for; mu(kǀ), the opposite side, beyond
ྥࡇ࠺ mukǀ, opposite
ྥࡇ࠺ഃ mukǀgawa, opposite side
᪉ྥ hǀkǀ, direction, course



59

295–299 • ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS

ড় Kƿ; saiwa(i), blessings, good luck,
happiness, fortune; sachi, happiness,
295
8 strokes luck; shiawa(se), happiness, good

ৱ fortune

296 ୙ᖾ fukǀ, unhappiness, misfortune
12 strokes ᖾ⚟
ᖾ㐠 kǀfuku, happiness
ਖ
kǀun, good fortune
297
5 strokes Kƿ; minato, harbor

਺  ⏫ minatomachi, port town
ධ 
298 ✵  nynjkǀ, entry into port
10 strokes knjkǀ, airport

੥

299 Gƿ, number, issue (of a magazine)
11 strokes
␒ྕ bangǀ, number
グྕ kigǀ, symbol
ಙྕ shingǀ, signal, code



KON, root (math.), perseverance;
ne, root

᰿Ẽ konki, patience,
perseverance
኱᰿ daikon, giant white radish
᰿ᮏ konpon, basis



SAI; matsu(ri), festival; matsu(ru),
to deify, to worship as a god, to offer
prayers for the sake of

ᮧ⚍ࡾ muramatsuri, village festival
⚍᪥ saijitsu, national holiday
ᩥ໬⚍ bunkasai, cultural festival



60

ચ ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS • 300–304

300 sara, plate, dish, bowl
5 strokes ─Ὑ࠸ sara-arai, dishwashing
─Ὑ࠸ᶵ sara-araiki, dishwasher
઱ ⅊─ haizara, ashtray

301
5 strokes
SHI, JI work; tsuka(eru), to serve
ૌ
௙஦ shigoto, work
302 ⤥௙
6 strokes ௙᪉ kynjji, of¿ce boy, waiter
shikata, way of doing
઴

303
8 strokes SHI, death; shi(nu), to die

઻ Ṛయ shitai, corpse
Ṛയ⪅ shishǀsha, dead and injured,
304
8 strokes casualties

ᚲṚ hisshi, certain death,
desperation



SHI; tsuka(u), to use

౑࠸ tsukai, errand, messenger
౑࿨ shimei, mission, errand
౑⏝ shiyǀ, use



SHI; haji(maru), to begin (v.i.);
haji(meru), to begin (v.t.)

㛤ጞ kaishi, commencement, start
ጞᮎ
shimatsu, circumstances, the
ጞᴗ
particulars; management

shigyǀ, beginning of work

or class

61

305–309 • ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS

ૄ SHI; yubi, ¿nger; sa(su), to point at,
to indicate
305
9 strokes ぶᣦ oyayubi, thumb
ᣦ㍯ yubiwa, ring
ૡ ᣦ᥹⪅ shikisha, conductor,

306 commander
12 strokes

૙
SHI; ha, tooth
307
13 strokes ⹸ṑ mushiba, decayed tooth
ṑ་⪅ ha-isha, dentist
૫ ṑ㌴ haguruma, gear, cogwheel

308
6 strokes
SHI, poetry, poem
ૢ
リே shijin, poet
309 リ㞟 shishnj, anthology of poetry
8 strokes ླྀ஦リ jojishi, epic poem



JI, SHI; tsugi, next; tsu(gu), to rank
next to

ḟ➨ shidai, order, reason,
as soon as
ḟᐁ jikan, vice-minister
┠ḟ mokuji, table of contents



JI; koto, thing, action, affair, fact

௙஦ shigoto, work
⏝஦
኱஦ yǀji, business
daiji, great matter, serious

affair, importance



62

ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS • 310–314

૩ JI; mo(chi), durability; mo(tsu),
to have, to hold
310
9 strokes Ẽᣢ kimochi, feeling
ᣢཧ jisan, bringing
ૺ ᨭᣢ shiji, support

311
6 strokes
SHIKI, ceremony, form, model;
ଌ ~shiki, ~-style (suf¿x for “style”,
“type”)
312
8 strokes ᘧሙ shikijǀ, ceremonial hall
༞ᴗᘧ sotsugyǀ-shiki, graduation
ଖ
ceremony, commencement
313
5 strokes ᪧᘧ kynjshiki, old-style

ଞ JITSU, reality; mi, nut, fruit;
mino(ru), to bear fruit
314
8 strokes ᐇ㝿 jissai, actual state, reality
┿ᐇ shinjitsu, truth
ᯝᐇ kajitsu, fruit



SHA; utsu(su), to copy, to imitate,
to take (a photograph); utsu(ru),
to be photographed, to be projected

෗┿ shashin, photograph
෗⏕
shasei, sketch, drawing
ᫎ෗
from nature

eisha, projection

SHA; mono, person

ⱝ⪅ wakamono, young man
་⪅ isha, doctor
Ꮫ⪅ gakusha, scholar



63

315–319 • ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS

଱ SHU, SU; nushi, master, owner;
omo, main, foremost
315
5 strokes ୺ே shujin, master
Ẹ୺୺⩏ minshushugi, democracy
ଳ ᣢ୺ mochinushi, owner

316
6 strokes
SHU, SU; mamo(ru), to protect, to
ଲ guard, to defend, to obey (the law),
to keep (a promise); mori, mo(ri),
317 nursemaid, baby-sitter
8 strokes
࠾Ᏺࡾ o-mamori, amulet, charm
଼
␃Ᏺ rusu, absence
318
10 strokes ಖᏲ hoshu, conservatism

ି SHU; to(ru), to take

319 ྲྀࡾฟࡍ toridasu, to take out
8 strokes ྲྀᮦ shuzai, choice of subject
ྲྀᢅ࠸ toriatsukai, treatment,

handling



SHU; saka-, sake, rice wine, liquor

ࡪ࡝࠺㓇 budǀshu, wine
㓇㣧ࡳ sakenomi, drinker
㓇ᒇ sakaya, liquor shop



JU; u(keru), to receive; u(karu), to
pass (an exam)
ཷᣢ ukemochi, charge, matter in

hand
ཷ௜ uketsuke, receptionist,

information desk
ཷヰᶵ juwaki, telephone receiver



64

ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS • 320–324

ୋ SHNj, province, state (U.S.A.);
su, shallows, a sandbank
320
6 strokes ᮏᕞ Honshnj (main island of
Japan)
୎ ஑ᕞ Kynjshnj (Japan‫ތ‬s third
largest island)
321 ࣘࢱᕞ Yuta-shnj, State of
9 strokes Utah

୒ SHNj; JNj, ten (used in legal
documents); hiro(u), to pick up
322
11 strokes ᣠ࠸≀ hiroimono, something

୔ picked up, windfall, bargain

323 ࿨ᣠ࠸ inochibiroi, narrow escape
11 strokes
(from death)
ୠ
ᣠᘨ෇ jnjni-en, 12 yen
324
12 strokes SHNj; o(wari), end; o(waru),
to come to an end; o(eru), to ¿nish

⤊ᡓ shnjsen, end of a war
⤊ᴗ shnjgyǀ, end of work
᭱⤊ saishnj, the last



SHNj; nara(u), to learn, to study

⦎⩦ renshnj, practice
⩦Ꮠ shnjji, penmanship
⩦័ shnjkan, habit, custom



SHNj; atsu(meru), to collect (v.t.);
atsu(maru), to gather together (v.i.);
tsudo(u), to meet, to gather

⦅㞟 henshnj, editing
リ㞟 shishnj, anthology of poems
ᩥ㞟 bunshnj, literary anthology



65

325–329 • ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS

ୣ JNj dwelling; su(mu), to dwell, to
live; su(mai), dwelling
325
7 strokes ఫᡤ jnjsho, address

୭ ⾰㣗ఫ i-shoku-jnj, necessities of

326 life (clothing, food, shelter)
9 strokes
ఫᏯ jnjtaku, dwelling, living
ୱ
quarters
327
11 strokes JNj, CHƿ; omo(i), heavy; kasa(neru),
to pile (things) up; kasa(naru), to be
ஒ
piled up; ~e, ~fold
328
8 strokes య㔜 taijnj, weight (of the body)
ཝ㔜
ஓ ஧㔜 genjnj, strictness

329 futae, nijnj, duplicate,
12 strokes
double, twofold

SHUKU; yado, inn; yado(ru), to
lodge at; yado(su), to provide shelter

ᐟᒇ yadoya, inn
ᐟ㢟 shukudai, homework
ୗᐟ geshuku, boardinghouse



SHO; tokoro, place

ྎᡤ daidokoro, kitchen
ሙᡤ basho, place
㏆ᡤ kinjo, neighborhood



SHO; atsu(i), hot

ṧᬬ zansho, lingering summer
㑊ᬬ heat
ᬬ୰ hisho, summering, going
to a summer resort
shochnj, midsummer



66

஝ ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS • 330–334

330 JO; tasu(karu), to be aided, to be
7 strokes rescued; tasu(keru), to aid, to rescue;
~suke, suf¿x for masculine names
ூ
ຓᡭ joshu, assistant
331 ⿵ຓ hojo, assistance
9 strokes ຓຊ joryoku, help, aid

௉

332 SHƿ bright
10 strokes ᫛࿴ Shǀwa, Emperor Hirohito

஬ or his reign (1926–1989)

333
11 strokes
SHƿ; ki(eru), to vanish, to go out,
௕ to melt away; ke(su), to extinguish,

334 to switch off, to put out (a light)
11 strokes
ᾘࡋࢦ࣒ keshigomu, eraser

ᾘ㜵 shǀbǀ, ¿re ¿ghting

ᾘẘ shǀdoku, disinfection



SHƿ; akina(u), to sell, to deal in

ၟே shǀnin, merchant
ၟ኎ shǀbai, business, trade,
transaction
ၟᴗ
shǀgyǀ, commerce, trade



SHƿ, chapter

ᩥ❶ bunshǀ, sentence
グ❶ kishǀ, medal, badge
໏❶ kunshǀ, decoration, order
(for honors)



67

335–339 • ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS

஧ SHƿ; ka(tsu), to win; masa(ru),
to excel
335
12 strokes ຾㈇ shǀbu, victory or defeat,
຾ᩋ
௮ ຾ᡭ match

336 shǀhai, the outcome (of a
9 strokes
battle)
ఆ
katte, sel¿sh, willful
337
12 strokes Jƿ; no(ru), to ride; no(seru), to give
a ride to, to place upon
డ
஌ࡾ≀ norimono, vehicle
338
5 strokes ஌ᐈ jǀkyaku, passenger
㐲஌ࡾ tǀnori, a long ride
బ

339
7 strokes SHOKU; u(eru), to plant, to set up
(type); u(waru), to be planted

᳜≀ shokubutsu, plant,
vetegation

᳜Ẹᆅ shokuminchi, colony
⏣᳜࠼ taue, rice planting



SHIN; mǀ(su), to say

⏦ࡋ㎸ࡳ mǀshikomi, application,

proposal

⏦࿌ shinkoku, report, ¿ling

a return

⏦ࡋྜࢃࡏ mǀshiawase,

arrangement

SHIN; mi, body

㌟య shintai, body

㌟㛗 shinchǀ, height (of the body)
㌟ศ mibun, social position



68

త ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS • 340–344

340 SHIN, JIN; kami, god
9 strokes ⚄⤒㉁ shinkeishitsu, nervous

ణ temperament
⢭⚄ seishin, soul, spirit
341 ⚄ᵝ kamisama, god
10 strokes

ఠ
SHIN; ma, truth, reality
342 ෗┿ᶵ shashinki, camera
11 strokes ┿ኟ manatsu, midsummer

మ

343 SHIN; fuka(i), deep, profound, thick
11 strokes (fog), close (connection); fuka(sa),
depth, profundity; fuka(meru) (v.t.),
౦ to make deeper, to intensify

344 ῝ኪ shinҲya, midnight
5 strokes ῝࿧྾ shinkokynj, deep breath
῝้ shinkoku, serious,

signi¿cant

SHIN; susu(mu), to advance, to
proceed; susu(meru) (v.t.), to move
forward, to stimulate

㐍⾜ shinkǀ, progress, advance
㐍⣭ shinkynj, promotion
⾜㐍 kǀshin, march, parade



SEI; yo, world, age, reign

ୡ⏺ sekai, the world
ୡ⣖ seiki, century
ୡ㛫 seken, the world, society, life



69

345–349 • ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS

౲ SEI; totono(eru), to put in order, to
get ready; totono(u), to be ready
345
16 strokes ᩚ⌮ seiri, adjustment,
ᩚഛ arrangement, reorganization
ಐ seibi, adjustment, complete
equipment, consolidation
346
8 strokes

೔ SEKI, SHAKU; mukashi, in the past,
olden times
347
6 strokes ᫇ヰ mukashibanashi, old tale,
folklore
ഊ ௒᫇ konjaku, past and present
኱᫇ ǀmukashi, high antiquity,
348
9 strokes in the remote past

ഗ ZEN, whole; matta(ku), sube(te),
entirely, all
349
9 strokes ඲య zentai, the whole
඲㒊 zenbu, all, the whole
᏶඲ kanzen, perfect



Sƿ, appearance, aspect, phase; SHƿ
minister of state; ai-, each other,

mutual

┦ㄯ sǀdan, consultation, talk
┦ᡭ aite, companion, the other

㤳┦ party

shushǀ, prime minister

Sƿ; oku(ru), to send

ᨺ㏦ hǀsǀ, broadcast
㍺㏦ yusǀ, transportation
㏦㔠 sǀkin, sending money



70

ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS • 350–354

೻ Sƿ, idea, thought

350 ᝿ീ sǀzǀ, imagination
13 strokes ⌮᝿ risǀ, ideal
ண᝿ yosǀ, expectation
ധ

351
10 strokes SOKU, son; iki, breath

ബ ࡓࡵᜥ tameiki, sigh
ఇᜥ kynjsoku, rest
352 ᾘᜥ shǀsoku, news, letter,
10 strokes
circumstances
ര

353
11 strokes SOKU; haya(i), speedy, quick;
haya(maru) (v.i.) quicken, speed
഼ up; haya(meru) (v.t.), to hasten, to
accelerate; sumi(yaka), speedy, prompt
354
5 strokes ㏿ᗘ sokudo, speed
㏿グ sokki, stenography, shorthand
㏿㐩 sokutatsu, express

mail, special delivery

ZOKU, family, tribe, clan

ᐙ᪘ kazoku, family, household
Ẹ᪘ minzoku, race, people,

nation
Ỉ᪘㤋 suizokukan, aquarium



TA; hoka, other

௚ᅜ tako ku, other countries
௚ே tanin, other people, stranger
ࡑࡢ௚ sonota, the others, the rest;

and so forth



71

355–359 • ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS

൅ DA; u(tsu), to strike, to beat

355 ⯉ᡴࡕ s hita-uchi, smacking one‫ތ‬s
5 strokes lips, click of the tongue

ൎ ᡴ⪅ dasha, batter, hitter
୕ሠᡴ sanrui-da, three-base hit
356
7 strokes

൒ TAI, opposite, against; TSUI, pair, set

357 ཯ᑐ h antai, opposition, opposite,
9 strokes objection, reverse

ൣ ᑐ㠃 taimen, interview,
confrontation
358
5 strokes ஧ᑐ୍ ni-tai-ichi, (score of) 2 to 1

൦

359 TAI; ma(tsu), to wait for
11 strokes
ᚅྜᐊ machiaishitsu, waiting room
᥋ᚅ settai, reception
ᣍᚅ shǀtai, invitation



DAI, generation, price; ka(eru), to
substitute, to use instead; ka(waru),
to take the place of, to relieve; yo,
generation, era, reign

᫬௦ jidai, period, era, age
⌧௦ gendai, the present age
௦⾲ daihyǀ, representative

DAI grade, pre¿x for ordinal numbers

➨୍ᅇ dai-ikkai, the ¿rst time
ཬ➨ kynjdai, passing an

examination
ⴠ➨ rakudai, failure (in an

examination), rejection



72

ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS • 360–364

൨ DAI, subject, topic, theme, title (of
book, story, etc.)
360
18 strokes ၥ㢟 mondai, question, problem
ヰ㢟 wadai, topic of conversation
ඖ ᐟ㢟 shukudai, homework

361
9 strokes
TAN; sumi, charcoal
඗
Ⅳᆙ tankǀ, coal mine
362 ▼Ⅳ sekitan, coal
12 strokes ᮌⅣ mokutan, charcoal

ඨ

363 TAN shortness, defect; mijika(i),
15 strokes short, brief

ශ ▷Ẽ tanki, quick temper
᭱▷ saitan, shortest
364 㛗▷ chǀtan, long and short,
12 strokes
merits and demerits



DAN, talk

┦ㄯ sǀdan, consultation
ㄯヰ danwa, conversation, talk
Ḽㄯ kandan, pleasant chat



CHAKU; ki(ru), to wear; tsu(ku),
to reach, to arrive; ki(seru), to dress,
to plate

╔≀ kimono, Japanese robe

୍╔ itchaku, ¿rst arrival, a suit

(of clothes)

ୖ╔ uwagi, coat

73

365–369 • ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS

෉ CHNj; soso(gu), to pour, to concentrate
on
365
8 strokes ὀព chnji, attention, care,
warning, advice
෈ ὀ┠ chnjmoku, attention,
observation
366 ὀᩥ chnjmon, order, request,
9 strokes demand

ූ CHNj; hashira, post, pillar

367 ᕹᰕ hobashira, mast
2 strokes ᰕ᫬ィ hashiradokei, wall clock
㟁ᰕ denchnj, telegraph (electric)
ො
pole
368
11 strokes

෮ CHƿ Japanese linear unit (120 yds.),
division of a ward or town, leaf of a
369
15 strokes book; TEI “D” grade

ᶓ୎ yokochǀ, side street,
alleyway

୎ᗘ chǀdo, exactly, just
୎ᑀ teinei, politeness

CHƿ curtain, register

ᖒ㠃 chǀmen, notebook, account
book

ᡭᖒ techǀ, memo book,
notebook

᪥グᖒ nikkichǀ, diary



CHƿ; shira(be), melody, inspection;
shira(beru), to investigate, to examine,
to inspect; totono(u), to be prepared,
to be arranged, to be settled

ㄪᏊ chǀshi, tune, key, rhythm,
ㄪᰝ tone, way, condition
ㄪ⠇ chǀsa, investigation,
examination
chǀsetsu, adjustment

74

ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS • 370–374

ฃ TSUI; o(u), to run after, to drive
away
370
9 strokes ㏣࠸࠿ࡅࡿ oikakeru, to chase

ฤ ㏣ồ tsuikynj, pursuit

371 ㏣ᨺ tsuihǀ, banishment,
8 strokes
exile, purge
ว

372
10 strokes TEI, Jƿ; sada(meru), to ¿x, to decide,
to establish; sada(ka), certain;
ใ sada(maru), to be decided, to be settled

373 ᐃဨ tei-in, regular staff, full
11 strokes ᐃᮇ number of personnel
ணᐃ teiki, ¿xed period or term,
์ regularity; pre¿x for “regular”
yotei, previous arrangement,
374 program, schedule
13 strokes
TEI; niwa, garden

ᗞᅬ teien, garden

ᰯᗞ kǀtei, school playground
ᐙᗞ katei, home



TEKI; fue, Àute, whistle
㆙➜ k eiteki, alarm whistle,

warning horn
Ỷ➜ kiteki, steam whistle, siren
ཱྀ➜ kuchibue, whistling



TETSU, iron, steel
㕲㐨 tetsudǀ, railroad
ᆅୗ㕲 chikatetsu, subway
㕲ᶫ tekkyǀ, iron bridge, railway

bridge



75

375–379 • ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS

๖ TEN to turn round, to change, to fall,
to tumble; koro(gasu), to knock down,
375 to roll over; koro(garu), to tumble;
11 strokes to lie down; koro(geru), to roll over;
koro(bu), to tumble, to fall down
๬
㌿ᰯ tenkǀ, change of schools
376 ㌿௵ tennin, change of post
11 strokes 㐠㌿ unten, driving,

๱ working, operation

377 TO, TSU; miyako, capital, metropolis
9 strokes
㒔఍ tokai, city
ຂ 㤳㒔 shuto, capital
㒔ྜ tsugǀ, circumstances,
378
7 strokes conditions

ຜ

379 DO, TO, TAKU degree, time,
7 strokes times; tabi, occasion, counter for
number of times

୍ᗘ ichido, once
㏿ᗘ sokudo, speed
⛬ᗘ teido, degree, level, extent



Tƿ; na(geru), to throw, to give up

ᢞ⚊ tǀhyǀ, voting
ᢞ㈨ tǀshi, investment
ᢞ᭩ tǀsho, contribution (to a

magazine, newspaper, etc)



Tƿ, ZU; mame, peas, beans; mame-,
baby/miniature
㇋⭉ tǀfu, bean-curd
኱㇋ daizu, soy beans
㇋ᮏ mamehon, miniature book



76

๿ ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS • 380–384

380 Tƿ; shima, island
10 strokes ༙ᓥ hantǀ, peninsula
⩌ᓥ guntǀ, group of islands
ຊ! ᓥᅜ shimaguni, island country

381
12 strokes
Tƿ; yu, hot water
๨
‫‮‬Ẽ yuge, steam
382 ‫ ⯪‮‬yubune, bathtub
12 strokes ⇕‫ ‮‬nettǀ, boiling water

ຑ

383 Tƿ, TO; nobo(ri), climbing (n.);
12 strokes nobo(ru), to climb

຦ Ⓩᒣ tozan, mountain climbing
Ⓩᰯ tǀkǀ, attending school
384 ᮌⓏࡾ ki-nobori, tree climbing
11 strokes


Tƿ, class, quality; hito(shii), like,
equal

ୖ➼ jǀtǀ, high-class, very good,

superior

୍➼ ittǀ, ¿rst class, most, best

㧗➼Ꮫᰯ kǀtǀgakkǀ, senior high

school

Dƿ; ugo(ku), to move

ື≀ dǀbutsu, animal
⮬ື㌴ jidǀsha, automobile
㐠ື undǀ, motion, physical

exercise, athletic sports



77

385–389 • ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS

ຮ Dƿ; warabe, child

385 ඣ❺ jidǀ, child, boys and girls
12 strokes ❺ヰ dǀwa, nursery tale
❺ㅴ dǀyǀ, nursery song
༔

386
13 strokes Nƿ, farming

༜ ㎰ሙ nǀjǀ, farm
㎰ᴗ nǀgyǀ, agriculture
387 ㎰ᐙ nǀka, farmhouse
8 strokes

༯
HA; nami, wave
388
10 strokes ኱Ἴ ǀ-nami, big wave
㜵Ἴሐ bǀhatei, breakwater
༰ 㟁Ἴ denpa, electric wave

389
10 strokes
HAI; kuba(ru), to distribute, to
deliver

㓄⤥ h aikynj, ration, distribution
(of food or goods)

㓄㐩 haitatsu, delivery
ᚰ㓄 shinpai, worry



BAI, two times, double; suf¿x
denoting “times”

ᩘಸ snjbai, several times
ఱಸ nanbai, how many times?
ಸ⋡ bairitsu, magnifying power



78

པ ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS • 390–394

390 hako, box, case
15 strokes
ୗ㥏⟽ getabako, shoe cabinet
ཛྷ 㒑౽⟽ ynjbinbako, mailbox,

391 postbox
9 strokes ⟽ᗞ hakoniwa, miniature garden

ཡ

392 hata, hatake, ¿eld, farm, cultivated
9 strokes ¿eld

ཱ ⏣⏿ tahata, ¿elds
㯏⏿ mugibatake, wheat (barley)
393
4 strokes ¿eld
ⰼ⏿ hanabatake, Àower garden
ੲ

394
7 strokes HATSU to expose, to open, to shoot,
to happen

Ⓨ㡢 hatsuon, pronunciation
Ⓨ⾲ happyǀ, announcement
ฟⓎ shuppatsu, departure



HAN, antithesis, anti-; HON, TAN,
unit of measure (for land and cloth);
so(ru) (v.i.), to curve; so(rasu) (v.t.),
to bend (something)

཯ᑐ hantai, opposition, contrast
཯┬ hansei, self-examination

཯ᑕ hansha, reÀection

HAN; saka, slope, hill

ᆏ㐨 sakamichi, sloping road
ୖࡾᆏ noborizaka, ascent, uphill

road
ᛴᆏ kynjhan, steep slope



79

395–399 • ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS

ྲྀ HAN; ita, board (of wood)

395 ᯈࡢ㛫 ita-no-ma, wooden Àoor
8 strokes ᥖ♧ᯈ keijiban, notice-board
┳ᯈ kanban, poster, signboard,
ྛ
shingle
396
5 strokes

ྒྷ HI; kawa, skin, leather

397 ẟ⓶ kegawa, fur
12 strokes ⓶⫗ hiniku, irony
⓶⭵ hifu, skin
ྰ

398
9 strokes HI; kana(shii); sad, kana(shimu),
to be sad
ྱ
ᝒ๻ higeki, tragedy, tragic event
399 ᝒኊ hisǀ, pathetic
14 strokes ឿᝒ jihi, mercy



BI, beauty; utsuku(shii), beautiful

⨾⾡ bijutsu, ¿ne arts
⨾ே bijin, a beauty, pretty girl,

beautiful woman
⨾⾡㤋 bijutsukan, art museum



BI; hana, nose

㰯ඛ h anasaki, tip of one‫ތ‬s nose,
under one‫ތ‬s very nose

㰯⣬ hanagami, paper
handkerchief

㰯⾑ hanaji, nosebleed



80

྾ ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS • 400–404

400 HITSU; fude, writing brush
12 strokes ୓ᖺ➹ mannenhitsu, fountain pen
㖄➹ enpitsu, pencil
࿉ ➹⪅ hissha, writer

401
5 strokes
HYƿ; kǀri, ice
࿍
ịࡍ࣋ࡾ kǀrisuberi, ice skating
402 ịᒣ hyǀzan, iceberg
8 strokes ○ị⯪ saihyǀsen, icebreaker

࿓

403 HYƿ, list, table, schedule; omote, the
9 strokes outside, surface; ara(wasu), to show,
to indicate, to expose, to express, to
࿒ represent

404 ⾲⣬ hyǀshi, cover of a book
10 strokes
⾲㠃 hyǀmen, surface

᫬㛫⾲ jikanhyǀ, schedule,

timetable

BYƿ, second (unit of time)

⛊㔪 byǀshin, second hand
୍⛊ ichibyǀ, one second
ᩘ⛊ snjbyǀ, several seconds



BYƿ; yamai, illness; ya(mu), to fall
ill
⑓Ẽ byǀki, illness, sickness
⑓㝔 byǀin, hospital
⑓ே byǀnin, sick person



81

405–409 • ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS

࿚ HIN, elegance, dignity; shina, goods

405 ရ≀ shinamono, article, goods
9 strokes ᡭရ tejina, jugglery, sleight of

࿹ hand
సရ sakuhin, work, works
406
9 strokes

င FU; o(u), to bear, to owe; ma(keru),
to be defeated, to reduce a price;
407 ma(kasu), to defeat
11 strokes
຾㈇ shǀbu, victory or defeat,
ဎ game

408 ㈇യ fushǀ, wound
8 strokes ⫼㈇࠺ se-ou, to carry on one‫ތ‬s

ဏ back

409 BU, department, copy, part
13 strokes
඲㒊 zenbu, all, whole
ᮾ㒊 tǀbu, eastern part
㒊ศ bubun, part



FUKU, dress, European clothes

ὒ᭹ yǀfuku, European clothes
♩᭹ reifuku, full dress
ไ᭹ seifuku, uniform



FUKU, good fortune
ᖾ⚟ kǀfuku, happiness
⚟ࡢ⚄ fuku-no-kami, God of

Wealth
⚃⚟ shukufuku, blessing



82

ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS • 410–414

ဘ BUTSU, MOTSU; mono, thing,
article, object
410
8 strokes 㣗࡭≀ tabemono, food
ྡ≀ meibutsu, noted product,
ိ
special product
411 ㈌≀ kamotsu, freight
5 strokes

၄
HEI, BYƿ; tai(ra), evenness,
412 Àatness; hira(tai), even, level,
7 strokes simple

၇ ᖹ࿴ heiwa, peace
ᖹẼ heiki, calmness, indifference
413 ᖹ➼ byǀdǀ, equality
10 strokes

ၪ
HEN; kae(su), to return, to give back
414
8 strokes ㏉஦ henji, answer
⧞ࡾ㏉ࡍ kurikaesu, to repeat
ᜠ㏉ࡋ ongaeshi, repayment of a

favor, returning a favor



BEN, to exert oneself, to make
efforts

ຮᙉ benkyǀ, study
໅ຮ kinben, diligence
ຮᙉᐙ benkyǀka, studious person



H ƿ; hana(su), to let go, to release;
hana(tsu), to set free, to send forth,

to shoot; hǀ(ru), to throw

ᨺ㏦ hǀsǀ, broadcasting
ᨺㄢᚋ hǀkago, after school
㛤ᨺ kaihǀ, freedom, opening



83

415–419 • ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS

Ⴭ MI; aji, taste, relish, experience;
aji(wau), to savor, to appreciate
415
8 strokes ↓࿡ mumi, tastelessness
࿡᪉ mikata, friend, ally
ჩ ⯆࿡ kyǀmi, interest, enjoyment

416
8 strokes
MEI, order, command; MYƿ;
ჶ inochi, life

417 ࿨௧ meirei, order, command
9 strokes ౑࿨ shimei, mission
⏕࿨ seimei, life, soul
ᄎ

418
11 strokes MEN, side, phase, mask; omote,
face, outside, front, surface;
ᄜ omo (lit.), face, surface; tsura, face

419 ⾲㠃 hyǀmen, surface
7 strokes ṇ㠃 shǀmen, the front
ሙ㠃 bamen, scene



MON; to(u), to ask, to question, to
care, to accuse; to(i), ton, question,
inquiry

ၥ㢟 m ondai, problem, issue,
trouble

Ꮫၥ gakumon, learning

␲ၥ gimon, doubt, question

YAKU, of¿ce, duty, role, use,
service; EKI (lit.), war

ᙺᡤ yakusho, public of¿ce
ᙺே yakunin, government of¿cial
ᙺ⪅ yakusha, actor, actress



84

ᄞ ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS • 420–424

420 YAKU; kusuri, medicine, chemicals
16 strokes
⸆Ꮫ yakugaku, pharmacy (study)
ᄻ ⅆ⸆ kayaku, gunpowder
⸆ᒁ yakkyoku, pharmacy,
421
5 strokes pharmacist‫ތ‬s of¿ce

ᄧ

422 YU, YNj; yoshi, a reason,
8 strokes signi¿cance

ᄵ ⮬⏤ jiynj, liberty, freedom
୙⮬⏤ fujiynj, inconvenience,
423
6 strokes discomfort
⌮⏤ riynj, reason
ᄿ

424
12 strokes YU; abura, oil

Ἔ⤮ abura-e, oil painting
▼Ἔ sekiyu, petroleum
Ἔ⏣ yuden, oil ¿eld



YNj, U; a(ru), to exist, to have,
to measure, to have experience,

to happen, to consist of

᭷ྡ ynjmei, fame, well-known
᭷┈ ynjeki, bene¿t, pro¿t
᭷ᚿ ynjshi, volunteer



YNj; aso(bu), to play, to be idle

㐟ᫍ ynjsei, planet
㐟ᡙ ynjgi, game, sports,

children‫ތ‬s play
㐟ぴ ynjran, excursion,

sightseeing



85

425–429 • ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS

ᅅ YO previous
ண㜵 yobǀ, prevention
425 ணᐃ yotei, previous arrangement,
4 strokes
schedule
ᅛ ண᝿ yosǀ, anticipation

426
6 strokes
Yƿ; hitsuji, sheep, ram, ewe
ᅖ ⨺ẟ yǀmǀ, wool
⨺⓶ yǀhi, sheepskin
427 Ꮚ⨺ kohitsuji, a lamb
9 strokes

ᅝ
Yƿ, ocean
428 すὒ seiyǀ, the West, the Occident
12 strokes ὒ㛫 yǀma, Western-style room
ὒ᭹ yǀfuku, Western-style clothes
ᅣ ኴᖹὒ Taiheiyǀ, Paci¿c Ocean

429
12 strokes
Yƿ; ha, leaves, foliage
ⴥ⥳⣲ yǀryokuso, chlorophyll
ⴠࡕⴥ ochiba, fallen leaves
ⴥᕳ hamaki, cigar



Yƿ positive, male principle in nature
ኴ㝧 taiyǀ, sun
ኴ㝧⣔ taiyǀkei, solar system
㝧Ẽ yǀki, season, weather,

cheerfulness



86

ESSENTIAL CHARACTERS • 430–434

ᅕ Yƿ, way, style, manner; sama, Mr.,
Mrs., Miss, etc. (polite suf¿x for
430 personal names); state, way, form,
14 strokes condition

ᅶ ⚄ᵝ kamisama, god
ᵝᏊ yǀsu, appearance, manner,
431
12 strokes state

ᆔ RAKU; o(chiru), to fall (v.i.), to be
omitted, to be inferior to; o(tosu),
432 to omit, to make worse, to let drop,
10 strokes to lose

ᆟ ⴠ➨ rakudai, failure (in an
examination), rejection
433 rakusei, completion
10 strokes ⴠᡂ (building, etc.)

ᆤ RYNj, RU; naga(re), stream, current,
Àow; naga(reru), to Àow (v.i.);
434
6 strokes naga(su), to set aÀoat, to wash away,

to pour (v.t.)

ὶࢀᫍ nagareboshi, shooting star

ὶ⾜ rynjkǀ, fashion, vogue
㟁ὶ denrynj, electric current

RYO; tabi, travel, journey

᪑ே tabibito, traveler

᪑⾜ ryokǀ, trip, travel
᪑㤋 ryokan, inn, hotel



RYƿ, old Japanese monetary unit;
two, both

୧ᡭ ryǀte, both hands
୧᪉ ryǀhǀ, both, both sides
୧ぶ ryǀshin, parents, father and

mother



87