Kanji - Level 15 - Vocab Flashcards
飲み放題
All you can drink
Kanji: 飲 drink + み + 放 release + 題 topic
Drinking as much as you want is nice and all, but don’t get sick. When you see this word, you know you’re at an all you can drink place. Tip: Usually there’s a time limit, so drink up!
Reading: のみほうだい
The reading comes from the word 放題 (ほうだい) and 飲む (のむ). So long as you know those vocab words, you’ll be able to read this one as well.
食べ放題
All you can eat
Kanji: 食 eat + べ + 放 release + 題 topic
When you eat as much as you want, you are getting an all you can eat deal.
Reading: たべほうだい
The reading consists of the readings of 食べる and 放題. If you know those you should be able to read this too.
変人
An eccentric person
Kanji: 変 change + 人 person
A strange person is an eccentric. They are also an oddball.
Reading: へんじん
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.
建築
Architecture
Kanji: 建 build + 築 construct
When it comes to building and constructing, the thing that encompasses both of them is architecture.
建築 refers to the design and construction of buildings. Occasionally it can also refer to a physical building itself, but for that it’s more common to use 建築物.
Reading: けんちく
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.
お願い
A request
Kanji: お + 願 request + い
The noun form of request (don’t be tricked by the い on the end, it’s not an adjective). So, request goes to a request.
Reading: おねがい
The reading is the same like お願いします. Hopefully you’re able to read that by now so you’re able to read this too.
軍
Army
Kanji: 軍 army
The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well.
Reading: ぐん
This has the same reading as the kanji you learned, meaning you know the reading!
芸術
Art
Kanji: 芸 art + 術 technique
You need art techniques to make art. Without art techniques, the arts and fine art simply wouldn’t exist.
Reading: げいじゅつ
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.
秋
Autumn
Kanji: 秋 autumn
The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well.
Reading: あき
The reading is the same as the one you learned with the kanji, あき.
上司
Boss
Kanji: 上 above + 司 director
The director who is above you is your boss or superior.
Reading: じょうし
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.
岩
Boulder
Kanji: 岩 boulder
The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well.
Reading: いわ
The reading is the same as the one you learned with the kanji, so you can read this one!
英国
Britain
Kanji: 英 England + 国 country
The England country is where England is. This word can refer to Britain, the United Kingdom and England!
Note that イギリス is more common for “England” - but, since this is a kanji learning website you should learn this word.
Reading: えいこく
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.
仏
Buddha
Kanji: 仏 buddha
The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well.
Reading: ほとけ
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 go up to Buddha. You want to rub his head for good luck, because that’s what you hear is good to do. Right before you touch him, he backs off and says, “Whoa! I’m hot, okay?” (ほとけ). You touch him and it burns your hand clean off.
Imagine saying “hot, okay?” in a strange accent to help you to remember.
仏教
Buddhism
Kanji: 仏 buddha + 教 teach
The buddha teachings are what you have to learn when you’re studying Buddhism.
Reading: ぶっきょう
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. Note that 仏 gets changed to ぶっ for this one.
計算
Calculation
Kanji: 計 measure + 算 calculate
When you measure and then calculate something, you are making a calculation. For example, you measure the length of a frog, then you calculate how many frogs you’d need to reach the moon. What is that? A calculation, of course.
Reading: けいさん
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.
猫
Cat
Kanji: 猫 cat
The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well. Meow!
Reading: ねこ
The reading is the same as the one you learned with the kanji. Neko neko neko! Kawaiiiii.
世紀
Century
Kanji: 世 world + 紀 account
The account of a generation… this covers a whole generation, and considering how long Japanese people live, this account totals a whole century.
Reading: せいき
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.
式
Ceremony
Kanji: 式 ritual
The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well.
Reading: しき
The reading is the same as what you learned with the kanji. In fact, this kanji’s on’yomi AND kun’yomi are しき, so you can never go wrong.
変化
Change
Kanji: 変 change + 化 change
Change and change equals even more change.
変化 generally refers to a natural or spontaneous change, like changes from growth or aging, alterations in weather conditions, or shifts in one’s emotions.
Reading: へんか
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.
晴れ
Clear weather
Kanji: 晴 clear up + れ
If you say something is going to clear up, you’re usually talking about the weather. That makes it clear weather.
This can also mean formal or public. After all, you’ll want anything formal or public to happen when it’s clear weather! And finally, you can use it to say that someone has been cleared of suspicion.
Reading: はれ
This has the same reading as the kanji you learned, meaning you know the reading!
不器用
Clumsy
Kanji: 不 not + 器 container + 用 task
You know how 器用 means “dextrous” and “skillful”? Well, this is when you’re not those things. When you’re not dextrous, you’re clumsy and when you’re not skillful you’re unskillful.
Readings: ぶきよう, ぶきっちょ
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. Just keep in mind that the reading of 不 changes from ふ to ぶ. If you’re clumsy you’ll get a lot of boo-boos (ぶ), get it?
紀元後
Common era
Kanji: 紀 account + 元 origin + 後 before
What does the narrative origin have coming after it? Well, the way we’ve counted years for the past couple of millenia has a specific narrative at its origin, and everything that comes after it is the Common Era, aka AD, or anno Domini.
Just in case you don’t know what narrative we’re talking about: it’s the narrative of Jesus’s birth, which is the year that we say the Common Era started.
Reading: きげんご
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.
自信
Confidence
Kanji: 自 self + 信 believe
When you believe in your self you have plenty of confidence (or self confidence). This is a good thing to have!
Reading: じしん
How much 自信 do you have that you know how to read this word already? I bet you have some, at least! 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.
英和
English Japanese
Kanji: 英 England + 和 peace
This is seen on things like dictionaries. When you have an English and Japanese (style) dictionary, for example. You’ll see it the other way around too, but this particular one is English Japanese.
Reading: えいわ
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.
英語
English
Kanji: 英 England + 語 language
The English language is the language you’re reading right here and now. This is the English language. It is English.
Reading: えいご
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.
英文
English writing
Kanji: 英 England + 文 writing
England writing is English Writing (or if you want to be fancy, English Composition).
Reading: えいぶん
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.
毎晩
Every night
Kanji: 毎 every + 晩 night
Every night is simply every night. What do you do every night?
Reading: まいばん
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.
信心
Faith
Kanji: 信 believe + 心 heart
What you believe in your heart, and not in your head, is your faith. This is something that doesn’t follow logic, it’s all heart belief, it’s all faith.
Reading: しんじん
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. Just note that しん changes to じん.
美術
Fine art
Kanji: 美 beauty + 術 technique
When you create beauty with your techniques, that’s fine art, or simply art.
Reading: びじゅつ
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.
食中毒
Food poisoning
Kanji: 食 eat + 中 middle + 毒 poison
Poison inside the food is food poisoning. No fun when you get this :(
Reading: しょくちゅうどく
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.
四匹
Four small animals
Kanji: 四 four + 匹 small animal
Four small animals is four small animals. Use this to count four dogs, or cats, or whatever else.
Reading: よんひき
This is a jukugo word that uses the kun’yomi readings of the kanji. You should be able to read this on your own.
福島
Fukushima
Kanji: 福 luck + 島 island
The luck island wasn’t actually too lucky. This is Fukushima where the nuclear meltdown happened after the 2011 earthquake. So, when you think of “luck island” this is where you should think.
Reading: ふくしま
The readings are the readings you learned with the kanji. If one thing is lucky, it’s probably that.
大仏
Giant buddha statue
Kanji: 大 big + 仏 buddha
A large Buddha doesn’t make sense if you don’t know the context. There are giant statues of Buddha, and these are called Daibutsu, making this word translate to the Great Buddha or Giant Buddha Statue.
Reading: だいぶつ
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.
今晩は
Good evening
Kanji: 今 now + 晩 night + は
This word is made of now and night with the hiragana は at the end. The は here is pronounced as わ (the old pronunciation). When you say “now night!” you’re really saying good evening.
Reading: こんばんは
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. Just be aware that the は at the end is actually the particle は so it’s pronounced like わ.
文法
Grammar
Kanji: 文 writing + 法 method
The method of writing is how you write. You can have vocabulary words, but you have to be able to put them together using some kind of method. This method happens to be grammar.
Reading: ぶんぽう
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. The ほう changes to ぽう.
丈
Height
Kanji: 丈 height
The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well. This word is usually used for clothing height and length.
Reading: たけ
The reading is different from what you learned with the kanji. Remember the word 竹? It has the same reading as this. Just think of everyone measuring the heights of things with bamboo (たけ) poles with markers on them. Okay, this one is 5 bamboo poles high!
乗馬
Horseback riding
Kanji: 乗 ride + 馬 horse
If you ride a horse, that’s horseback riding or, in some parts of the world, simply horse riding.
Reading: じょうば
This is a jukugo word that uses the on’yomi readings of the kanji. You haven’t learned this reading for 乗, so here’s a mnemonic to help you:
Know who loves horseback riding? That’s right, Jourm (じょう) the farmhand. It makes sense, with him being a farmhand and all.
夫
Husband
Kanji: 夫 husband
The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well.
Reading: おっと
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: Think about your husband even if you don’t have one. What’s his name? It’s Otto (おっと), and he’s always leaving you at home because he’s working at the auto (おっと) shop.
不法
Illegal
Kanji: 不 not + 法 method
A not law is something that’s against the law. It’s illegal or unlawful.
Reading: ふほう
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.
事変
Incident
Kanji: 事 action + 変 change
An action that takes place that could change the locale or even the world has got to be a big incident. You’ll sometimes see this on the ends of “incident” names, like the “Manshuu Jihen” (満州事変), aka the “Manshuu Incident.” You know that it isn’t an unusual or strange incident (like 変事) because the “strange” kanji (変) doesn’t come first with this word. Instead, it comes after and means “change” in this case.
Reading: じへん
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.
伝
Intermediary
When you get someone to transmit information, they’re a type of intermediary, a go-between, if you will.
Reading: つて
When a vocab word is a single kanji with no okurigana, it takes the kun’yomi reading. You didn’t learn this one yet, so here’s a mnemonic to help you remember:
When the go-between gets back and is about to tell you everything the other group said, it takes him two takes (つて) to get it all right. The other group had a lot to say and he had trouble getting it all on the first take, but he totally nailed it on the second.
Little side note: this word is actually more common in katakana, as in ツテ, or hiragana, as in つて. Still, you might see it in kanji too, and it’s good if you can read it!
子猫
Kitten
Kanji: 子 child + 猫 cat
A child cat is an adorable kitten. D’awww!
Reading: こねこ
The reading is the vocab word 子 (こ) and the reading for cat (ねこ).
昨年
Last year
Kanji: 昨 previous + 年 year
Yesterday’s year was actually last year. Today must be New Years then!
Reading: さくねん
This is a jukugo word that uses the on’yomi readings of the kanji. You should be able to read this on your own.
列
Line
Kanji: 列 row
When things are put in a row they end up forming a line. This can be a line of people or a line of random stuff.
Reading: れつ
This has the same reading as the kanji you learned, meaning you know the reading!
昼休み
Lunch break
Kanji: 昼 noon + 休 rest + み
Remember how you learned that 休み means “break?” When you take a break at noon it’s your lunch break! Or, if you aren’t hungry, it’s a noon break instead.
Reading: ひるやすみ
The readings for this word are both kun’yomi readings. You learned them already, so you should be able to read this too!
飯
Meal
Kanji: 飯 meal
The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well. It also refers to cooked rice, because you gotta eat cooked rice with every meal, so it’s basically synonymous with “meal” itself.
This word has a slightly gruff feel to it so it’s used mostly in informal situations.
Reading: めし
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 eating a meal… MMmm, delicious! What are you eating? Well, it’s a Mesh (めし) net. Taste the mesh net. It tastes terrible. This is a bad meal. Feel it in your mouth. It’s weird and meshy.
ご飯
Meal
Kanji: ご + 飯 meal
The ご just makes this word more polite and fancy. When it comes to food, it’s nice to be those things. This has the same meaning as the kanji (meal) making it meal, but it also refers to cooked rice as well. So, “Come eat your ご飯” can be both “come eat your rice” and “come eat your meal.” Really, since most Japanese meals come with rice, though, you can see how the overlap happens.
Reading: ごはん
The reading is the same as the one you learned with the kanji. Now how about you “hand” me another bowl of rice?
方法
Method
Kanji: 方 direction + 法 method
The way method or the method way is the method or way. This is a good word for talking about how to do something. What’s the 方法? Well, first you…
Reading: ほうほう
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.
