Kanji - Level 12 - Vocab

Question 1

活動

Answer 1

Action
Kanji: 活 lively + 動 move
The lively moves you make are actions. They’re the activities you do every day to stay fit and healthy!
Reading: かつどう
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 2

行動

Answer 2

Action
Kanji: 行 go + 動 move
When you go to move you’re actually making an action. It’s these behaviors when you go and move that determine what people think about you.
Reading: こうどう
This is a jukugo word that uses the on’yomi readings of the kanji. You should be able to read this on your own.

Question 3

空港

Answer 3

Airport
Kanji: 空 sky + 港 harbor
Put aside your steampunk blimp fantasies for a moment. A sky harbor is an airport, nothing more.
Reading: くうこう
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 4

全員

Answer 4

All members
Kanji: 全 all + 員 member
All members means all members. This is also a fancy way to say everybody.
Reading: ぜんいん
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 5

もう

Answer 5

Already
Kanji: No kanji (surprising!)
You’ve mowed your lawn (もう) already? Wow, you’re ahead on your mowing. Good work. You’ll have to do it again soon, though.
This can also mean yet in a question, and anymore with a negative.
Reading: もう

Question 6

動物

Answer 6

Animal
Kanji: 動 move + 物 thing
A moving thing… think about the “things” that move. Technically it could be a lot of things (aka basically anything), but in this case we are talking about moving living things. We won’t include humans, because humans are too good to be called things. This refers to animals instead.
Reading: どうぶつ
This is a jukugo word that uses the on’yomi readings of the kanji. You should be able to read this on your own.

Question 7

鳴き声

Answer 7

Animal cry
Kanji: 鳴 chirp + き + 声 voice
The chirp voice is a sound an animal makes. Sure, it works for birds (which chirp), but it also works with most other animals as well. So, we call this an animal cry.
Reading: なきごえ
The readings are those that you learned with the kanji. 声 gets changed to ごえ, though, so take note of that in your head. Perhaps you can imagine an animal that does a “GOEEEEE” cry.

Question 8

勝手

Answer 8

As one pleases
Kanji: 勝 win + 手 hand
The hand (or person, as you know 手 often refers to a person) that wins gets to do as one pleases without regard for anyone else.
Reading: かって
The reading for this is weird. It’s all kun’yomi, which luckily you’ve seen before, but still strange. I guess when you do as one pleases you can read kanji however you want, in this case the kun’yomi readings. Do note that there’s a small っ in there before 手, presumably to connect the two readings of the two kanji together.

Question 9

悪い

Answer 9

Bad
Kanji: 悪 bad + い
This is a single kanji with an い on the end, meaning you know it’s probably an adjective. What’s the adjective form of bad? It’s also bad.
Reading: わるい
Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun’yomi reading. You didn’t learn that reading with this kanji, so here’s a mnemonic to help you:
Do you know how in the Mario universe all the bad versions are called “WARU” (わる)? For example: “WARUIJI” and “WARIO.” That’s because they are bad. They come from this kanji. So, if you ever need to remember this reading, just think back to Wario and Waruigi.

Question 10

悪人

Answer 10

Bad person
Kanji: 悪 bad + 人 person
A bad person is a bad person.
Reading: あくにん
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 11

野球

Answer 11

Baseball
Kanji: 野 field + 球 sphere
Field Sphere! The greatest sport to grace this earth since a very similar (aka the same) sport, baseball. Think about it, you play on a field and you use a little sphere. Awesome!
Reading: やきゅう
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 12

飲み物

Answer 12

Beverage
Kanji: 飲 drink + み + 物 thing
A thing you drink is a beverage.
Reading: のみもの
These are both the kun’yomi readings. You’ve learned them already, so you already know how to read this word!

Question 13

酒飲み

Answer 13

Boozer
Kanji: 酒 alcohol + 飲 drink + み
We have alcohol and a variant form of 飲む (to drink). So you know this has to do with drinking alcohol. It means a boozer or a drunkard, someone who drinks a lot of alcohol!
Reading: さけのみ
The readings are the vocab words お酒 and 飲む combined together into one. You can guess it’s a kun’yomi reading because of the み on the end of 飲, which should make you think back to vocab words that use these kanji and the kun’yomi readings. If you can do that, you can read this word (and many others, probably!).

Question 14

親分

Answer 14

Boss
Kanji: 親 parent + 分 part
Who is part parent to you? Your boss! They make it so you can take care of yourself by paying you, don’t they? They’ll break the legs of someone who crosses you. But they won’t help you get back to sleep after you have nightmares. So they’re only part like a parent.
Reading: おやぶん
This word consists of the kun’yomi reading for 親 and the on’yomi reading for 分. You’ve learned both of these so you should be able to read this already!

Question 15

息

Answer 15

Breath
Kanji: 息 breath
The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well.
Reading: いき
Since this word is made up of a single kanji, it should use the kun’yomi reading. When learning the kanji, you didn’t learn that reading, so here’s a mnemonic to help you with this word: You smell someone’s icky (いき) breath. It’s gross. Your skin crawls and your eyes roll back in your head from the icky, icky smell. You might die.

Question 16

商売

Answer 16

Business
Kanji: 商 merchandise + 売 sell
Selling merchandise is business, commerce, or trade.
Reading: しょうばい
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. You’ve learned them both already!

Question 17

心配事

Answer 17

Cares
Kanji: 心 heart + 配 distribute + 事 action
The actions and things you have to 心配 about are your cares and worries.
Reading: しんぱいごと
The reading is the reading of 心配 (which you’ve hopefully gotten down okay by now) and 事 using the (こと) reading. It is rendaku’d, as well, so beware of the ごと (just another 心配事, ammiright?).

Question 18

虫歯

Answer 18

Cavity
Kanji: 虫 insect + 歯 tooth
A tooth bug… Luckily, it’s not some bug living in your tooth, though you can see why someone might think this is what happens. A tooth with a “bug” in it is a tooth with a cavity.
Reading: むしば
The readings are both kun’yomi, but those are the readings you learned with these kanji. Notice that は turns to ば, though. Presumably this is because you might yell out “BAH!” when you find out you have a cavity.

Question 19

第二章

Answer 19

Chapter two
Kanji: 第 ordinal number prefix + 二 two + 章 chapter
The ordinal number prefix two chapter has a much simpler way of describing it, which is chapter two.
Reading: だいにしょう
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 20

陽気

Answer 20

Cheerful
Kanji: 陽 sunshine + 気 energy
If you have a spirit of sunshine you’re a really cheerful person.
Reading: ようき
This is a jukugo word that uses the on’yomi readings of the kanji. You should be able to read this on your own.

Question 21

童話

Answer 21

Children’s story
Kanji: 童 juvenile + 話 talk
Don’t think of this as a juvenile talk. Think of 話 the vocab word, which means “story.” If you do that, you get a “juvenile story.” What’s a juvenile story? It’s a children’s story.
Reading: どうわ
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 22

音読み

Answer 22

Chinese reading
Kanji: 音 sound + 読 read + み
The sound reading. What could this be…? Wait a sec, think to Japanese and kanji. What’s the reading that uses sounds from another place, specifically China? That’s the Chinese reading, aka the on’yomi. Sounds familiar?
Reading: おんよみ
The reading for 音 is the 音読み. 読み uses the kun’yomi, though, strangely. Way to mess up the one word that should be all on’yomi, Japan. Way. To. Go.

Question 23

都会

Answer 23

City
Kanji: 都 metropolis + 会 meet
When metropolises meet they become a city. Usually a nice big one.
Reading: とかい
This is a jukugo word that uses the on’yomi readings of the kanji. You should be able to read this on your own.

Question 24

都市

Answer 24

City
Kanji: 都 metropolis + 市 city
A metropolis city is a city. When you’re referring to just a plain ol’ city, sans name, you can use this word.
Reading: とし
This is a jukugo word that uses the on’yomi readings of the kanji. You should be able to read this on your own.

Question 25

部室

Answer 25

Clubroom
Kanji: 部 part + 室 room
A club room is a clubroom!
Reading: ぶしつ
This is a jukugo word that uses the on’yomi readings of the kanji. You should be able to read this on your own.

Question 26

寒い

Answer 26

Cold
Kanji: 寒 cold + い
This is a single kanji with an い on the end, meaning you know it’s probably an adjective. What’s the adjective form of cold? It’s cold.
Reading: さむい
Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun’yomi reading which you learned with the kanji (Samurai (さむ)). Remember?

Question 27

会社員

Answer 27

Company employee
Kanji: 会 meet + 社 company + 員 member
A “company” (会社) member is someone who works at a company. This is a company employee. There are many of these in Japan. Most of them are drunk.
Reading: かいしゃいん
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 28

落ち

Answer 28

Conclusion
Kanji: 落 fall + ち
When you’re talking or writing a paper, the part that falls at the end is the conclusion.
Reading: おち
Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun’yomi reading. You learned this reading already so you should be able to read it!

Question 29

大根

Answer 29

Daikon
Kanji: 大 big + 根 root
This will be easier if you’ve seen or heard of daikon before. It’s a really big root in the ground that’s pretty delicious. It’s known as daikon in the grocery stores for the most part, though occasionally you’ll see it as Japanese radish instead.
Reading: だいこん
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well. 大 uses the だい reading because if you try to put the whole thing in your mouth at once you’ll probably end up choking and dying.

Question 30

深い

Answer 30

Deep
Kanji: 深 deep + い
This is a single kanji with an い on the end, meaning you know it’s probably an adjective. What’s the adjective form of deep? It’s also deep.
Reading: ふかい
Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun’yomi reading. Because the reading sounds just like a dirty word, and there may be innocent children about, I’ll let you come up with your own mnemonic for this one. Maybe someone pushes you into a deep hole that will surely kill you so you yell something out as you fall down it?

Question 31

最深

Answer 31

Deepest
Kanji: 最 most + 深 deep
The most deep is the deepest.
最深 is a formal word used in geology to describe the deepest point of things like caves and oceans.
Reading: さいしん
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 32

歯医者

Answer 32

Dentist
Kanji: 歯 tooth + 医 medicine + 者 someone
You know that a 医者 is a doctor. So what is a tooth doctor? A dentist. Seriously, don’t forget to floss. 歯医者 hate when you forget to floss.
Reading: はいしゃ
You know how to read 歯 and 医者, so you should be good to go!

Question 33

消化

Answer 33

Digestion
Kanji: 消 extinguish + 化 change
What is something that will first extinguish something and then change it? One thing I can think of is your body. It takes in food, extinguishes it in your stomach, then changes it into things your body can use (and then excrete). That’s why this “extinguish-change” process is your digestion.
Reading: しょうか
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 34

二倍

Answer 34

Double
Kanji: 二 two + 倍 double
Something that is two times is double (or it is just simply two times). Of course, this all works with things like 三倍, 百倍, and 四十二倍 as well.
Reading: にばい
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 35

運転手

Answer 35

Driver
Kanji: 運 carry + 転 revolve + 手 hand
You know that 運転 has to do with driving, right? And you know that 手 often has to do with a person doing something in words like these. So, a person who does driving is what? A driver.
Reading: うんてんしゅ
The reading is all on’yomi, because it’s jukugo. You should know the on’yomi reading of 手 by now just by seeing similar word patterns to this one.

Question 36

社員

Answer 36

Employee
Kanji: 社 company + 員 member
The company members are the employees and the staff.
Reading: しゃいん
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 37

民族

Answer 37

Ethnic group
Kanji: 民 peoples + 族 tribe
A peoples tribe (or tribe of peoples) is a group that all stick together. They are one single ethnic group. What’s your 民族?
Reading: みんぞく
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 38

運動

Answer 38

Exercise
Kanji: 運 carry + 動 move
When you carry your movements (or carry something along with your movements, like weights, for example) you are doing exercise. Speaking of which, perhaps you’ve been studying kanji a little too much lately. Time to get up and do some squats.
Reading: うんどう
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 39

期待

Answer 39

Expectation
Kanji: 期 period of time + 待 wait
For a period of time you have to wait. During this waiting period, you’re building up an expectation or anticipation for something to happen a certain way. Waiting, expecting, waiting, expecting…
期待 specifically refers to the feeling of expectation or anticipation for a desired outcome.
Reading: きたい
This is a jukugo word that uses the on’yomi readings of the kanji. You should be able to read this on your own.

Question 40

落ち葉

Answer 40

Fallen leaves
Kanji: 落 fall + ち + 葉 leaf
The leaf that falls are fallen leaves.
Reading: おちば
The reading for this one is a bit strange. You’ll have to pull from your knowledge of 落ちる and use that for the first half. Then, 葉 is rendaku’d to ば. Because, when a leaf falls, Scrooge says “BAH! Humbug!” (probably because he’s losing money).

Question 41

家族

Answer 41

Family
Kanji: 家 house + 族 tribe
Your house tribe is your family. They live in the same house as you and they’re part of your “tribe.” This is closer than family, though (depending on how you look at family). This is your immediate family because these are the people you live with and give birth to, etc.
Reading: かぞく
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 42

家庭

Answer 42

Family
Kanji: 家 house + 庭 garden
The essence of your house and garden is your family, household, or home.
Reading: かてい
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 43

父親

Answer 43

Father
Kanji: 父 father + 親 parent
Explanation
Your father parent is your father.
Reading: ちちおや
The reading here is pretty weird. It’s all kun’yomi. My guess is this translates literally to “father parent” (two different words, therefore uses the other readings). You should know the readings of these two separate words, though. It is 父 (ちち) and 親 (おや).

Question 44

疲労

Answer 44

Fatigue
Kanji: 疲 exhausted + 労 labor
You’re exhausted from labor. From this, you’re showing fatigue and weariness.
Reading: ひろう
This is a jukugo word that uses the on’yomi readings of the kanji. You should be able to read this on your own.

Question 45

祭

Answer 45

Festival
Kanji: 祭 festival
The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well.
Reading: まつり
While at a festival, a guy named Matt has to go to the bathroom. Matt’s urine (まつり) has been filling up his bladder ever since he began drinking that 64oz cup of soda. Matt’s urine is ready to bust out at any moment. He really has to go to the bathroom.
This word can also be written 祭り, and the pronunciation stays the same.

Question 46

一階

Answer 46

First floor
Kanji: 一 one + 階 floor
The one floor is the first floor (or floor one). Pretty simple.
Unless you’re British, that is. For you this is the ground floor!
Reading: いっかい
The reading is on’yomi because it’s a jukugo kanji. Be careful of the 一 though. It gets shortened and has a little っ in there.

Question 47

第一位

Answer 47

First place
Kanji: 第 ordinal number prefix + 一 one + 位 rank
The ordinal number prefix one rank. Basically, this means “first rank” or first place.
Reading: だいいちい
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 48

一流

Answer 48

First rate
Kanji: 一 one + 流 stream
This is a weird one. You have one stream. This is first rate stream material we have here, though. If you think about it, if you only have one stream (instead of a ton of streams), you can put all your effort and energy into it. When you do that, you’re making sure it is a first rate stream in terms of quality and anything else.
Reading: いちりゅう
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 49

〜階

Answer 49

Floor
Kanji: 階 floor
You know that the kanji refers to a floor (as in the “fifth floor”). This word represents the version that comes after a number, shown with a 〜. Essentially, this has the same meaning as the kanji you learned, making it nice and easy.
Reading: かい
The reading is the same as the one you learned with the kanji. Don’t type in the 〜 or you’ll get it wrong!

Question 50

四十二階

Answer 50

Forty second floor
Kanji: 四 four + 十 ten + 二 two + 階 floor
You know that 四十二 means “forty two.” So, as long as you know floor you’ll know this means forty-second floor.
Reading: よんじゅうにかい
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 51

庭

Answer 51

Garden
Kanji: 庭 garden
The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well. You can add the meaning yard to your memory bank as well, if you’d like.
Reading: にわ
Since this word is made up of a single kanji, it should use the kun’yomi reading. When learning the kanji, you didn’t learn that reading, so here’s a mnemonic to help you with this word: You look at your garden. It doesn’t meet your expectations so you decide it’s time to get a newer (にわ) garden. Tear it all down, folks! Getting a newer garden, here!

Question 52

集まり

Answer 52

Gathering
Kanji: 集 collect + ま + り
This is the noun version of the kanji gather, so it means gathering.
Reading: あつまり
Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun’yomi reading. You learned this reading already so you should be able to read it!

Question 53

大学院生

Answer 53

Graduate student
Kanji: 大 big + 学 study + 院 institution + 生 life
Remember how you learned that 大学院 means “graduate school” and 大学生 means “college student?” Well smush them together and you have a graduate student!
Reading: だいがくいんせい
This is a jukugo word that uses the on’yomi readings of the kanji. You should be able to read this on your own.

Question 54

港

Answer 54

Harbor
Kanji: 港 harbor
The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well.
Reading: みなと
This is a single kanji with no okurigana, so it’s using the kun’yomi reading. You don’t know this reading yet, so here’s a mnemonic to help you:
You go down to the harbor and speak the secret password me natto (みなと) to buy some fresh natto. Imagine the salty air hitting your face as you whisper, “me natto.” Now eat that yummy natto by the water! Mmmm!

Question 55

彼

Answer 55

He
Kanji: 彼 he
The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well.
Reading: かれ
The reading is the same as the one you learned with the kanji.

Question 56

聞こえる

Answer 56

Hearable
Kanji: 聞 hear + こ + え + る
You’ve seen 聞く by now hopefully. This is similar, but instead of meaning “to hear” it means hearable (or to be audible). Just think about that こえ hanging off there as the voice you can hear.
Reading: きこえる
The reading comes from 聞く, so if you know the reading of that word, you can apply it here.

Question 57

広島

Answer 57

Hiroshima
Kanji: 広 wide + 島 island
The wide island… this isn’t helpful on its own, but this wide island is Hiroshima (heard of it?). When you do the reading it will make more sense.
Reading: ひろしま
The reading is the kun’yomi readings of both of these which is what you learned with the individual kanji. Just make sure you know those readings and you’ll be able to read this.

Question 58

温泉

Answer 58

Hot springs
Kanji: 温 warm + 泉 springs
A warm spring (like the water kind of spring) is a hot spring. These are really nice. You should go to them in Japan.
Reading: おんせん
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 59

湯

Answer 59

Hot water
Kanji: 湯 hot water
The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well.
Reading: ゆ
This has the same reading as the kanji you learned, meaning you know the reading!

Question 60

暑い

Answer 60

Hot weather
Kanji: 暑 hot + い
This is the adjective form of hot… but we’re going to call it hot weather. Why? Because there’s a difference between something that’s hot and the weather or atmosphere being hot. This is that kind of hot, as in…“Damn, man, it’s hot out here!”
Reading: あつい
This uses the same reading as the one you learned with the kanji, so you’re good to go here!

Question 61

僕

Answer 61

I
Kanji: 僕 I
The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well!
Reading: ぼく
This word uses the same reading as the one you learned with the kanji. I certainly like that and I bet you do too.

Question 62

利息

Answer 62

Interest
Kanji: 利 profit + 息 breath
You receive profit at every breath. What kind of profit is this? It’s interest. As time goes by and as you take more breaths you gain more bank interest.
Reading: りそく
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 63

島

Answer 63

Island
Kanji: 島 island
The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well.
Reading: しま
This has the same reading as the kanji you learned, meaning you know the reading!

Question 64

顔文字

Answer 64

Kaomoji
Kanji: 顔 face + 文 writing + 字 letter
Remember how you learned that 文字 can mean “characters?” Well make a face out of those characters and you’ve made a kaomoji! ʅ(◔౪◔ ) ʃ
Reading: かおもじ
This word consists of the kun’yomi reading for 顔 added to the jukugo word 文字 that you already learned. You’ve learned these readings before, so reading this word should be nice and easy!

Question 65

京都

Answer 65

Kyoto
Kanji: 京 capital + 都 metropolis
The capital metropolis back in the day was Kyoto. Now of course the capital is Tokyo, but kanji doesn’t know this. That’s why Kyoto is the capital metropolis!
Reading: きょうと
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 66

終電

Answer 66

Last train
Kanji: 終 end + 電 electricity
We’ve seen a few times where 電 refers to a train. They’re big deals, after all, and use a ton of electricity. So, the end train for this word would refer to the last train.
Reading: しゅうでん
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 67

一代

Answer 67

Lifetime
Kanji: 一 one + 代 substitute
This word has the kanji for one and period. You only have one period to live in so this is the only lifetime you get. Unless you’re reborn, but that will probably be in the next age, not this one. So one lifetime for you!
Reading: いちだい
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 68

運

Answer 68

Luck
Kanji: 運 carry
This takes the luck meaning from the kanji. Think of it this way: If you’re “carrying” you’re going to create your own luck. Now nobody will mess with you, kanji gangstah. You carry guns and have a ton of luck because of it.
Reading: うん
The reading is the same as the one you learned with the kanji! How… shall I say… luck-filled?

Question 69

本流

Answer 69

Mainstream
Kanji: 本 book + 流stream
The origin stream, that’s where everything comes from. That is the mainstream.
Reading: ほんりゅう
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 70

会員

Answer 70

Member
Kanji: 会 meet + 員 member
you meet enough members you will become a member yourself!
Reading: かいいん
This is a jukugo word that uses the on’yomi readings of the kanji. You should be able to read this on your own.

Question 71

商人

Answer 71

Merchant
Kanji: 商 merchandise + 人 person
A merchandise person is a merchant. You want to buy something or you just looking?
Reading: しょうにん
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 72

深夜

Answer 72

Middle of the night
Kanji: 深 deep + 夜 night
The deep night is the middle of the night. It doesn’t get any deeper than that before you start coming out of the night to start the next day.
Reading: しんや
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 73

母親

Answer 73

Mother
Kanji: 母 mother + 親 parent
The mother parent is the mother.
Reading: ははおや
The reading for this is strange. It’s the kun’yomi vocab reading, probably because the literal translation is “mother parent” and therefore consists of a couple words combined together into one concept. So, make sure you know the separate word readings of 母 and 親. If you do, you should be able to read this too.

Question 74

登山

Answer 74

Mountain climbing
Kanji: 登 climb + 山 mountain
Climb a mountain. That is mountain climbing.
Reading: とざん
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well. Note this uses the alternative と reading, not to be confused with とう (actually, very confusing, sorry!). Just imagine you cut your toe off with an ice pick while mountain climbing. You know it’s a short と because your toe is now short. And さん becomes ざん thanks to our old friend rendaku.

Question 75

祭日

Answer 75

National holiday
Kanji: 祭 festival + 日 sun
The day you have a festival is a national holiday. That way everyone can come to celebrate without worrying about going to school or work. This is also known as a festival day (pretty obvious, right?).
Reading: さいじつ
This is a jukugo word that uses the on’yomi readings of the kanji. You should be able to read this on your own.

Question 76

都合

Answer 76

One’s convenience
Kanji: 都 metropolis + 合 suit
This one makes no sense (sorry!). When you join together with someone at a metropolis, you do it at your convenience. You’re important, after all, so you just do what you want and make the other person wait in this giant metropolis while you move along leisurely. Imagine this, and keep thinking “at your convenience” as you walk about.
This word is usually used in a nicer way, though. As in, “do it at your convenience!”
Reading: つごう
The reading for 都 is an exception from what you learned with the kanji. To remember this, just think about someone who does something at their own convenience. They say, I’m going to go (つごう) where I want, when I want, at my own convenience.
The 合 (ごう) part is a reading you know from the kanji, though, so if you can get to “to go” with the mnemonic, you should be able to put two and two together to know that it’s a long vowel ごう.

Question 77

根気

Answer 77

Patience
Kanji: 根 root + 気 energy
The root of your energy. You have to dig deep into your energy, all the way to the origin and source of it, to have enough patience to deal with this dumb kid who’s eating away at your not-root energy. It’s all you have, and you need to use it.
Reading: こんき
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 78

期間

Answer 78

Period
Kanji: 期 period of time + 間 interval
A period of time interval is still a period or interval of time.
Reading: きかん
This is a jukugo word that uses the on’yomi readings of the kanji. You should be able to read this on your own.

Question 79

植物

Answer 79

Plant
Kanji: 植 plant + 物 thing
Plant things are plants or vegetation.
Reading: しょくぶつ
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji.

Question 80

屋根

Answer 80

Roof
Kanji: 屋 roof + 根 root
The root of your roof is still your roof. If it helps, imagine roots growing out of your roof. They protect you from the rain.
Reading: やね
This word uses the kun’yomi readings. The kun’yomi for 根 is ね. For a mnemonic, we’ll use the sound a horse makes, neigh (ね). Why is the horse neigh-ing? It’s stuck on the roof.

Question 81

根本

Answer 81

Root
Kanji: 根 root + 本 book
The root origin is the root of something. Possibly even more root than root, but we’ll stick with root.
Readings: こんぽん, ねもと
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well. Careful, 本 is ぽん, which is a weird rendaku.

Question 82

根

Answer 82

Root
Kanji: 根 root
The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well.
Reading: ね
Since this word is made up of a single kanji, it should use the kun’yomi reading. When learning the kanji, you didn’t learn that reading, so here’s a mnemonic to help you with this word:
This is a magic root that turns you into a horse. You take a bite and let out a loud neigh (ね)!

Question 83

船員

Answer 83

Sailor
Kanji: 船 boat + 員 member
A member of a boat is called a sailor.
Reading: せんいん
This is a jukugo word that uses the on’yomi readings of the kanji. You should be able to read this on your own.

Question 84

学期

Answer 84

School term
Kanji: 学 study + 期 period of time
The study period of time isn’t the pitiful amount of time you spend studying. It’s something much bigger: the school term. Ugh, how much longer is this study period of time???
Reading: がっき
The reading is on’yomi because it’s a jukugo word but がく gets shortened to がっ, so be careful. Maybe you just wish the school term would get shorter which is why you shortened がく like that?

Question 85

二階

Answer 85

Second floor
Kanji: 二 two + 階 floor
The two floor is the second floor. Going up!
Reading: にかい
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 86

店員

Answer 86

Shop staff
Kanji: 店 shop + 員 member
The shop member is someone who is a “member” (aka employed by) the shop. This is the shop staff.
Reading: てんいん
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 87

短い

Answer 87

Short
Kanji: 短 short + い
This is a single kanji with an い on the end, meaning you know it’s probably an adjective. What’s the adjective form of short? It’s short.
This word is used to describe things that are short in length, not in height.
Reading: みじかい
Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun’yomi reading. You didn’t learn that reading with this kanji, so here’s a mnemonic to help you:
Who has short hair and always wears shorts? It’s Ms. Carr (みじか)! Everyone always recognizes Ms. Carr because she’s the one with the short hair and shorts, no matter the weather. Ms. Carr, the ultimate short style icon!

Question 88

短期

Answer 88

Short period
Kanji: 短 short + 期 period of time
The short period of time is the short term. You know not to think short term anyways, right? You’re learning kanji, after all.
Reading: たんき
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 89

短刀

Answer 89

Short sword
Kanji: 短 short + 刀 sword
The short sword is the short sword. What’s another word for a short sword? It’s a dagger.
Reading: たんとう
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 90

誰か

Answer 90

Someone
Kanji: 誰 who + か
誰 is who, 誰か is like asking “who?” If you don’t know who it is, you just know it’s someone.
Reading: だれか
The reading comes from the reading you learned with the kanji.

Question 91

息子

Answer 91

Son
Kanji: 息 breath + 子 child
The breath child (that lets you release your breath when it’s born) is a son. Nowadays it’s cool to have a girl, but back in the day you wanted a son to carry on your underwater basket weaving legacy. That’s why this is a son.
Reading: むすこ
The reading of this is messed up. 子 is こ, that should be okay. 息 is むす for some reason though. Why? Because you gave birth to a son, but he was a moose (むす). You better hold that breath again, because this is not what you wanted.

Question 92

球

Answer 92

Sphere
Kanji: 球 sphere
The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well. Another meaning I’m going to add is sports ball because this is the word used for balls in various sports (soccer, baseball, etc).
Readings: たま, きゅう
Since this word is made up of a single kanji, it should use the kun’yomi reading. When learning the kanji, you didn’t learn that reading, so here’s a mnemonic to help you with this word: You’re holding onto a sports ball in your hand, let’s say it’s a baseball for this mnemonic’s sake. You throw it at your friend who’s going to catch it. As it flies through the air, though, it transforms into a tomahawk (たま). Imagine your shock and fear as you see this happening, flying towards your friend! It’s going to stick in his forehead. He can’t catch this with his glove!
Also notice that it has the same reading as the vocab word 玉. So, if you know that one, you may know this one too! They’re kind of similar.
This can be read きゅう too, if you’re talking about more of a globe sphere than the ball sphere you throw.

Question 93

泉

Answer 93

Spring
Kanji: 泉 spring
The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well.
Reading: いずみ
Since this word is made up of a single kanji, it should use the kun’yomi reading. When learning the kanji, you didn’t learn that reading, so here’s a mnemonic to help you with this word: You’re looking at a natural spring in the ground. Water is bubbling up, but then something changes. It looks a bit clogged… something is poking out. Then, all of a sudden, Mario flies out of the springs, falls in front of you and yells: “izumeeeee (いずみ), Mario!”

Question 94

着々

Answer 94

Steadily
Kanji: 着 wear+ 々 repeater
Something you wear, and wear again, is something you steadily wear. You do it so often, it’s reliable. Also, if you wear something this much it’s steadily wearing away too.
Reading: ちゃくちゃく
This word uses on’yomi readings of the kanji you learned, twice. You should be able to read this on your own.

Question 95

湯気

Answer 95

Steam
Kanji: 湯 hot water + 気 energy
Hot water’s energy isn’t the hot water itself, it’s what comes out of it (when it’s boiling, for example). This is the steam and vapor.
Reading: ゆげ
The ゆ part of the reading makes sense. The げ part for 気 is a bit of an exception, so here’s a mnemonic to help with that:
No creature likes steam and vapor more than geckos (げ). Geckos live in hot places, so wherever you see steam, you’ll be sure to see at least one gecko nearby, if you look hard enough.

Question 96

勉強

Answer 96

Studies
Kanji: 勉 exertion + 強 strong
Your exertion is strong. You’d think this means you’re working hard or something, but it means studies (like studies you have for a test or something). So for this, just imagine yourself exerting yourself really strongly on your homework. These are your studies / what you study.
Reading: べんきょう
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 97

太陽

Answer 97

Sun
Kanji: 太 fat + 陽 sunshine
The fat sunshine thing up in the sky… what is it called? Oh, that’s right. It’s the sun.
Reading: たいよう
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 98

水泳

Answer 98

Swimming
Kanji: 水 water + 泳 swim
When you’re doing a water swim, you’re really just… well, swimming.
Note that 水泳 will usually refer to swimming as a sport or organized activity. When talking about swimming as a general action, 泳ぎ and 泳ぐ are more commonly used.
Reading: すいえい
This is a jukugo word that uses the on’yomi readings of the kanji. You’ve learned this reading for 水, but not for 泳, so here’s a mnemonic to help you:
The only way you can swim is by chasing after acorns (えい). If somebody isn’t dangling an acorn on a stick right in front of your face, you’d never get the motivation to swim. Good thing you’re this into acorns.

Question 99

茶の湯

Answer 99

Tea ceremony
Kanji: 茶 tea + の + 湯 hot water
The hot water of tea. That is part of the ceremony that goes into the tea ceremony.
Reading: ちゃのゆ
The readings are both the readings you learned with the kanji. Now you can spend a little more time drinking tea at a tea ceremony and a little less time trying to remember kanji readings.

Question 100

気温

Answer 100

Temperature
Kanji: 気 energy + 温 warm
The energy of the warmth will cause the temperature to go up and down. Energy goes up? Higher temperature because of more movement and activity. Energy goes down? Well, temperature gets colder and slower.
Reading: きおん
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 101

温度

Answer 101

Temperature
Kanji: 温 warm + 度 degree
The warm degrees is how many degrees warm it is in here. Of course, there can be very few warm degrees as well, making it very cold. What is all this? It’s the temperature.
Reading: おんど
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 102

地球

Answer 102

The earth
Kanji: 地 earth + 球 sphere
The earth sphere! It’s where we live and the planet we call home. It’s the earth!
Reading: ちきゅう
This is a jukugo word that uses the on’yomi readings of the kanji. You should be able to read this on your own.

Question 103

終わり

Answer 103

The end
Kanji: 終 end + わ + り
By now you should know that 終わる means “to end” or “to finish.” So what is this noun-version of that word? It would be the end or the finish.
Reading: おわり
The reading comes from 終わる. So long as you know that word, you can learn this word’s reading as well!

Question 104

第一

Answer 104

The first
Kanji: 第 ordinal number prefix + 一 one
The ordinal number prefix one refers to the first thing. This is the number one place you can get. In fact, it’s simply the best.
Reading: だいいち
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 105

最悪

Answer 105

The worst
Kanji: 最 most + 悪 bad
The most bad is the worst. At least it can’t get any worse…
Reading: さいあく
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 106

彼ら

Answer 106

They
Kanji: 彼 he + ら
This is he but plural. The “ra” makes it plural, making it “they” or “them.” While this gennnnnnerally refers to a group of males, it can include ladies too.
Reading: かれら
The reading is the same as the one you learned with the kanji.

Question 107

三番目

Answer 107

Third thing
Kanji: 三 three + 番 number in a series + 目 eye
Remember 一番目? This is just like that, but with three, making it the third thing or simply the third.
Reading: さんばんめ
Use your knowledge of the reading for 一番目 to remember the reading for this word as well.

Question 108

時期

Answer 108

Time
Kanji: 時 time + 期 period of time
The time period of time is a period of time of time. If anything, just notice how many times the word “time” is used and you’ll remember this word means time. The meaning is a specific type of time, though. This is talking about a season or period of time, not the concept of time itself. That would be 時間 or something.
Reading: じき
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 109

〜倍

Answer 109

Times
Kanji: 倍 double
Throw this onto a number and you have yourself the number of times something has increased. For example, ３倍 means something increased “three fold.”
Reading: ばい
The reading is the same as the one you learned with the kanji. Omit the 〜 when writing out the answer, though. That just represents that there should be something before the kanji in this word when being used.

Question 110

始まる

Answer 110

To begin
Kanji: 始 begin + ま + る
This word consists of kanji with hiragana attached. Because the hiragana ends with an う sound, you know this word is a verb.
This is an intransitive verb. That means it does not take a direct object. Something starts. No direct object here. That’s why this verb means to start.
Reading: はじまる
Since this word has okurigana (hiragana attached to the kanji) you know that it’s probably going to be the kun’yomi reading.
Lucky for you, the kanji readings for transitive and intransitive verbs are almost always the same. Once you learn one, you know them both! This reading is the same as 始める.

Question 111

伝わる

Answer 111

To be transmitted
Kanji: 伝 transmit + わ + る
This word consists of kanji with hiragana attached. Because the hiragana ends with an う sound, you know this word is a verb.
This is an intransitive verb. That means it does not take a direct object. Something is transmitted. No direct object here. That’s why this verb means to be transmitted.
Reading: つたわる
Since this word has okurigana (hiragana attached to the kanji) you know that it’s probably going to be the kun’yomi reading.
Lucky for you, the kanji readings for transitive and intransitive verbs are almost always the same. Once you learn one, you know them both! This reading is the same as 伝える.

Question 112

登る

Answer 112

To climb
Kanji: 登 climb + る
This word consists of kanji with hiragana attached. Because the hiragana ends with an う sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means climb so the verb vocab version would be to climb (or to ascend), if that’s the kind of thing you’re into.
Reading: のぼる
Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun’yomi reading. This has the same reading as 上る which you learned all that time ago in Level 1. If you can remember that, you can remember this one!

Question 113

取れる

Answer 113

To come off
Kanji: 取 take + れ + る
This word consists of kanji with hiragana attached. Because the hiragana ends with an う sound, you know this word is a verb.

This is an intransitive verb. That means it does not take a direct object. Something comes off. Something is removed. No direct object here. That’s why this verb means to come off or to be removed.
Reading: とれる
Since this word has okurigana (hiragana attached to the kanji) you know that it’s probably going to be the kun’yomi reading.
Lucky for you, the kanji readings for transitive and intransitive verbs are almost always the same. Once you learn one, you know them both! This reading is the same as 取る.

Question 114

集まる

Answer 114

To come together
Kanji: 集 collect + ま + る
I bet you remember 集める which means “to collect.” This is similar to that, except you’re not doing the action of collecting, it’s just happening. Instead of “to collect” it’s to come together. You can remember this because a herd of Marus (the cat) will come together into one place if they sense a box there.
Reading: あつまる
The reading is the same as 集める so if you know that word you’ll know how to read this word as well.

Question 115

要求する

Answer 115

To demand something
Kanji: 要 need + 求 request + す + る
You hopefully remember that 要求 means “demand” . When you make that a verb, it becomes to demand something.
Reading: ようきゅうする
The reading is just the vocab word 要求. It’s also the regular on’yomi jukugo reading.

Question 116

落とす

Answer 116

To drop something
Kanji: 落 fall + と + す
You’ve seen how 落ちる means “to fall down.” Now you’re doing the action of “falling something down,” aka you’re dropping it. You can remember this because you kind of toss (とす) something and it drops to the ground, making this word mean to drop something.
Reading: おとす
The reading comes from 落ちる. So long as you know that word you can apply that reading over here, too.

Question 117

消す

Answer 117

To extinguish something
Kanji: 消 extinguish + す
This word consists of kanji with hiragana attached. Because the hiragana ends with an う sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means extinguish so the verb vocab version is to extinguish something. You can also use this word to say to erase something, like data, and to turn something off, like the lights or the power. Technically you’re extinguishing the data, as well as the lights or power, right?
Reading: けす
Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun’yomi reading. You didn’t learn that reading with this kanji, so here’s a mnemonic to help you:
You have to extinguish the fire! The kettle (け) got too hot, and it caught on fire.

Question 118

転ぶ

Answer 118

To fall over
Kanji: 転 revolve + ぶ
Do you remember the word 転がる? This is kind of similar, instead of rolling, this is more for when something falls and hits the ground. It means to fall over or to fall down. Just imagine someone falling off a chair face first into the dirt and making a ぶ sound.
Reading: ころぶ
The reading comes from 転がる. Hopefully you know that one well enough to associate it with this one, meaning you can read them both.

Question 119

終える

Answer 119

To finish something
Kanji: 終 end + え + る
This word consists of kanji with hiragana attached. Because the hiragana ends with an う sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means finish, so the verb version is to finish something or to end something.
This is a transitive verb, meaning you finish something, like a long day at work!
You need to differentiate this from 終わる, which is when something just ends on its own. 終える is about when you make something end. Remember it like this: Canadians always end their sentences with “eh” え, right? Well that’s how you know they’re ending their sentence. Just listen for the “eh,” eh?
Reading: おえる
Since this word has okurigana (hiragana attached to the kanji) you know that it’s probably going to be the kun’yomi reading, which you didn’t learn with the kanji. Here’s a mnemonic to help you:
You finally finished your school project. “Oh, A!” (おえ) you say to yourself, as though you can grade your own project.

Question 120

流す

Answer 120

To flush something
Kanji: 流 stream + す
This word consists of kanji with hiragana attached. Because the hiragana ends with an う sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means stream. If you’re streaming water, it might be to flush something. Alternatively, to pour something makes a stream of liquid, and to set something afloat is to make something flow in the stream.
Reading: ながす
Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun’yomi reading. You didn’t learn that reading with this kanji, so here’s a mnemonic to help you:
What do you do with someone who is a nagger (one who nags)? You have to flush them down the toilet. Imagine someone nagging you to do your chores so you flush them down the toilet, somehow.

Question 121

苦しめる

Answer 121

To hurt someone
Kanji: 苦 suffering + し + め + る
This word consists of kanji with hiragana attached. Because the hiragana ends with an う sound, you know this word is a verb.
The kanji itself means suffer, and the verb is all about when you make someone else suffer. That’s why it’s to hurt someone, to torment, or to harass.
You need to differentiate this from 苦しむ, which is about when YOU suffer. You can remember that 苦しめる is about making someone else suffer with this mnemonic: Who made you suffer? She made (しめ) me suffer! She’s so mean!
Reading: くるしめる
By now, you’ve learned 苦しい and 苦しむ. The kanji in these words all use the same reading! Yay!

Question 122

東京都

Answer 122

Tokyo metropolis
Kanji: 東 east + 京 capital + 都 metropolis
The Tokyo Metropolis is, of course, the Tokyo Metropolis. Technically this is one of Japan’s prefectures, but it’s called a “Metropolis” instead. It’s the capital and the largest city in all of Japan!
Reading: とうきょうと
The reading is just 東京 and 都 (と). Really it’s all just the reading you learned with the kanji, too, so you can think of it that way as well.

Question 123

動く

Answer 123

To move
Kanji: 動 move + く
This word consists of kanji with hiragana attached. Because the hiragana ends with an う sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means move so the verb vocab version is to move.
Reading: うごく
Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun’yomi reading. You didn’t learn that reading with this kanji, so here’s a mnemonic to help you: Someone is telling you to move. They are saying “you go (うご) over there. Move! Move!” If it helps, have them pronounce “You go” more like “Ugo.”

Question 124

起こる

Answer 124

To occur
Kanji: 起 wake up + こ + る
You know that 起きる means “to wake up”, but did you learn its secondary meaning, “to occur”? Well, this word means only to occur. Just imagine an incident occurring involving a uranium core (こる) to remember that this means to occur. After all, uranium core incidents don’t wake up, do they?
Reading: おこる
The reading is the same as what you learned with the kanji and the same as 起きる too, meaning you should be able to put together the reading on your own.

Question 125

開く

Answer 125

To open
Kanji: 開 open + く
You should know 開ける by now. This word is similar to that, except it has to do with when things are just open. It’s the same thing, though. The meaning is also to open.
Reading: あく
Do you remember the reading for 開ける, which you learned in level 10? That’s right, it’s あける! So if you know the reading of that word (I hope you do!) then you can apply that knowledge here.
Just a quick side note — 開く can also be read as ひらく, but we’re going to focus on the あく reading here. Since ひらく has slightly different meanings, we won’t accept it as a reading for this word, so be sure to enter あく!

Question 126

歯

Answer 126

Tooth
Kanji: 歯 tooth
The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well.
Reading: は
The reading that you learned with the kanji is the same as this one. HA! Take that, kanji.

Question 127

植える

Answer 127

To plant something
Kanji: 植 plant + え + る
This word consists of kanji with hiragana attached. Because the hiragana ends with an う sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means plant, so the verb version is to plant something or to grow something.
Reading: うえる
You haven’t learned this reading for 植 yet, so here’s a mnemonic to help you:
You decided to plant an uni (う) tree in your backyard. That’s right, you can plant sea urchins and they’ll grow like fruit off a really spiky tree. Just picture it. And then you’ll get to eat all the uni you want!

Question 128

鳴る

Answer 128

To ring
Kanji: 鳴 chirp + る
This is a lot like 鳴く, which means “to chirp” (or some other animal noise). This has to do with noises too, but not so much animal and more like bells (including telephones). This word means to ring. If it helps, think of the る as a hint, kind of like the first sound of the word “ring” (る). So, る = “ring” and it’s a verb, so to ring.
Reading: なる
The reading can come from 鳴く. So long as you know the reading for that word you can know the reading for this word as well.

Question 129

歌う

Answer 129

To sing
Kanji: 歌 song + う
This word consists of kanji with hiragana attached. Because the hiragana ends with an う sound, you know this word is a verb. One of the kanji’s meanings is sing so the verb vocab version of this is to sing.
Reading: うたう
Awesomely, this uses the same reading as the reading for the vocab words 歌. Just throw the う onto the end and you have yourself the reading. So, sing your heart out and learn this word easily. “IIIIiiIIIiiiII WILLL ALLllwaYYYs Loovvve YoOooOOooooOOOO ♬!”

Question 130

合う

Answer 130

To suit
Kanji: 合 suit + う
This word consists of kanji with hiragana attached. Because the hiragana ends with an う sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means suit so the verb version is to suit.
This word also means to come together as well. Presumably when something suits something else, it comes together with it flawlessly. That’s why this word also has this other meaning (and it will be important for future vocab as well).
Reading: あう
You want to find a pet to suit your personal style, so you get matched with an aardvark (あ). An aardvark will match the ant mounds you use for chairs and couches, it’s the perfect match.

Question 131

待つ

Answer 131

To wait
Kanji: 待 wait + つ
This word consists of kanji with hiragana attached. Because the hiragana ends with an う sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means wait so the verb version is to wait.
Reading: まつ
You need to wait for your mama (ま) all the time. You want to go out? You have to wait for mama to drive you. Want to eat dinner? You have to wait for mama to make you food. Hmm. Maybe all this waiting is really a you problem.

Question 132

着る

Answer 132

To wear
Kanji: 着 wear + る
This word consists of kanji with hiragana attached. Because the hiragana ends with an う sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means wear so this word means to wear or to put on. You’ll need to differentiate it from 着く which means (to arrive), though. Just think of how the る is the rude guy trying to get you to wear things you don’t like wearing.
Reading: きる
What do you want to wear today? How about a dress made entirely of keys (き)? Feel the metal on your skin and the weight on your shoulders. It’s not a comfortable thing to put on. Maybe just stick with wearing a single key around your neck next time.

Question 133

心配する

Answer 133

To worry
Kanji: 心 heart + 配 distribute + す + る
You know that 心配 is “a worry.” What about the verb version of that? It would be to worry.
Reading: しんぱいする
The reading comes straight from 心配 so try to make sure you know that word so you can read this word! It’s also all jukugo on’yomi reading, too, so you should be able to figure it out regardless.

Question 134

流行

Answer 134

Trend
Kanji: 流 stream + 行 go
Where the stream is going is where everyone’s going. That’s what tends to be the trend of things. Imagine a trend going on in your society right now. Imagine it going down a stream with everyone following it. This word is also used for less desirable trends, like the prevalence of infectious diseases.
Readings: りゅうこう, はやり
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 135

旅

Answer 135

Trip
Kanji: 旅 trip
The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well.
Reading: たび
Since this word is made up of a single kanji, it should use the kun’yomi reading. When learning the kanji, you didn’t learn that reading, so here’s a mnemonic to help you with this word: You are going on your trip but you need to bring your little tabby (たび) cat with you to keep you company. This cat keeps you calm and lets you leave your house, but the airlines won’t let you take it on this trip. What to do?

Question 136

旅行

Answer 136

Trip
Kanji: 旅 trip + 行 go
When you go on a trip you’re taking a trip. This is travel. You should try to do this occasionally! Perhaps a nice 旅行 to Japan?
Reading: りょこう
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 137

温かい

Answer 137

Warm
Kanji: 温 warm + か + い
This is a single kanji with an い on the end, meaning you know it’s probably an adjective. What’s the adjective form of warm? It’s warm.
Readings: あたたかい, あったかい
Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun’yomi reading. You didn’t learn that reading with this kanji, so here’s a mnemonic to help you:
Touch something that’s warm… too warm! You pull your hand back and go “AH ta-ta! (あたた). People make this noise when they touch something that’s hot, I hear. It’s almost like saying “hot hot hot” while dropping the “h” sound.
People often pronounce this as あったかい, especially in casual, spoken Japanese. The “correct” reading is still あたたかい though, so keep that in mind when you’re trying to type the kanji or taking an important test!

Question 138

水深

Answer 138

Water depth
Kanji: 水 water + 深 deep
The water deepness is the water depth. You should check this before diving into the water so you don’t hit your face.
Reading: すいしん
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.

Question 139

話し方

Answer 139

Way of speaking
Kanji: 話 talk + し + 方 direction
The way of speaking is your way of speaking (or it could be your speaking style). This is how someone talks. Some people have an interesting speaking style, after all.
Reading: はなしかた
This uses the kun’yomi readings from the vocab words 話す and 方. So as long as you’re okay with those, you can apply that knowledge over here.

Question 140

言葉

Answer 140

Word
Kanji: 言 say + 葉 leaf
A leaf of the things you say is like a leaf from a tree of speaking. That leaf is a part of the whole language, it is a single word, though it can add up to be a language or manner of speech.
Reading: ことば
The reading for 言 is one you haven’t learned, so here’s a mnemonic to help you:
Now imagine that there are words all over your coat (こと). It’s completely covered in words. Which language are these words in? Why Japanese, of course! Think about which Japanese words you would want written on your coat.

Question 141

文章

Answer 141

Writing
Kanji: 文 writing + 章 chapter
The writing chapter on its own is more like an article or something like that. Even if it’s a sentence long. So it covers just about every type of writing there is.
Reading: ぶんしょう
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you’ll know how to read this as well.