Kanji - Level 17 - Vocab Flashcards
欠席
Absence
Kanji: 欠 lack + 席 seat
When a seat is lacking the person it’s supposed to have in it, there is an absence. Where is Johnny? Another absence? Ugh. Johnny. C’mon.
Reading: けっせき
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. Note that the けつ is shortened to けっ as つs often are when in a situation like this.
是非
Absolutely
Kanji: 是 absolutely + 非 injustice
Absolutely an injustice! We must absolutely punish the perpetrator, by all means. First, though, we should probably define right and wrong.
This word means “absolutely” when it’s used as an adverb, and that’s the use you’ll hear most in conversation. However, as a noun it means “right and wrong”, as in whether something is right or wrong, or good or bad.
Reading: ぜひ
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.
結局
After all
Kanji: 結 bind + 局 bureau
If you tie the bureau up with your delays this may not get done this year after all.
This word carries the nuance that despite the various events or factors leading up to it, the final outcome just is what it is.
Reading: けっきょく
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. Note the けつ gets changed to けっ as つs in this situation often do.
愛知県
Aichi prefecture
Kanji: 愛 love + 知 know + 県 prefecture
The Love Know Prefecture! I want to live here, because people must know love! Of course, we don’t call it that in English. You’ll have to know the reading of the kanji to know the reading of this prefecture, which is Aichi Prefecture (jump to the reading to figure this out).
Reading: あいちけん
The reading here is all the on’yomi jukugo madness you can handle. If you learned the kanji, you should be able to read this. If you can read it, you can translate it to “English” even though only half of it is English.
常に
Always
Kanji: 常 normal + に
The particle に here is a clue that this word is an adverb. An adverb describes actions, so what’s a normal action? It’s one you’re always, or constantly, doing. That’s what makes it normal!
Reading: つねに
The reading is the kun’yomi reading, which you didn’t learn. In order to learn it, think of this:
I always tune (つね) my violin, but today I didn’t tune it. So, now I sound terrible. Imagine how terrible my untuned violin sounds, compared to how it always sounds.
無名
Anonymous
Kanji: 無 nothing + 名 name
Someone with “nothing” for their name is either trying to remain anonymous or is simply unknown.
Reading: むめい
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.
建築家
Architect
Kanji: 建 build + 築 construct + 家 house
You know that 建築 is architecture. So, someone of house architecture is someone who does architecture. They are an architect.
Reading: けんちくか
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. It will also help if you know how to read 建築 already.
兵器
Arms
Kanji: 兵 soldier + 器 container
The containers that soldiers use aren’t just bowls and stuff, they’re the things that hold their arms and weapons. Think spear and sword containers, full of weapons!
Reading: へいき
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.
相変わらず
As usual
Kanji: 相 mutual + 変 change + わ + ら + ず
A mutual change you make with other people will go so smoothly that it will seem like everything is working as usual. It will be like everything is the same as it was before because the change was mutual.
Reading: あいかわらず
The readings for this word are both kun’yomi readings. You’ve learned both of these readings by now so you should be able to read this on your own.
原子
Atom
Kanji: 原 original + 子 child
The original child of everything is the atom. It is the child from which everything else is created, for it was the original child. Atoms are the building blocks of all things!
Reading: げんし
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.
出席
Attendance
Kanji: 出 exit + 席 seat
The people who exit their seats at the end of the show are the number of people who showed up, not counting empty seats. This is the true attendance.
Reading: しゅっせき
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. Just note the しゅつ gets changed to しゅっ, as many つs do in this situation.
不味い
Bad tasting
Kanji: 不 not + 味 flavor + い
You’ve seen 美味しい by this point. This is the opposite of that. Instead of 美 you have 不 (not), so something that does not have flavor is something that doesn’t taste good. i.e. something bad tasting. This can also refer to someone who’s unskillful at something as well.
Reading: まずい
The reading doesn’t follow any of the rules you’ve run into. It’s まずい. Think about how you’re going through this really long maze (まず) and how you’re promised a really tasty wonderful treat at the end for getting through it (you’re a lab rat or something). When you get to the end, there’s your treat! What joy! You eat it and… oh man… it is so bad tasting you can’t even believe it. Be sure to imagine the terrible taste and the terrible disappointment after going through that difficult maze only to get this… this… terribly unappetizing cheese.
紀元前
Before the common era
Kanji: 紀 account + 元 origin + 前 front
Remember how 紀元後 is “Common Era”, or “anno Domini”? Well, this is the opposite because it has before (前) instead of 後. It’s Before the Common Era or Before Christ.
Reading: きげんぜん
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. It will also help if you know how to read 紀元後 already, because then you’ll just have to remember the 前.
両側
Both sides
Kanji: 両 both + 側 side
Both sides is both sides. Which side? Both sides.
Reading: りょうがわ
The first kanji takes the on’yomi reading and the second takes the kun’yomi reading. Luckily you know both of them already!
底
Bottom
Kanji: 底 bottom
The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well.
Reading: そこ
This vocab uses the same reading as the one you learned with the kanji. Well played!
心底
Bottom of one’s heart
Kanji: 心 heart + 底 bottom
The heart bottom is the bottom of one’s heart. Do you want to learn kanji? Do you want to learn it from 心底? Okay, fine, you can move onto the reading then.
Reading: しんそこ
This word uses the on’yomi reading for the first kanji and the kun’yomi reading for the second kanji. You’ve learned them both already, so you should be able to read this too!
朝ご飯
Breakfast
Kanji: 朝 morning + ご + 飯 meal
The morning meal is the meal you eat in the morning. That is breakfast.
Reading: あさごはん
The readings are the ones you learned with the kanji. It’s also like the vocab: 朝 is like the vocab version, あさ and ご飯 is like the word you learned, ごはん.
建物
Building
Kanji: 建 build + 物 thing
A thing you build is a building. There aren’t too many other things you build, at least not to this extent.
Reading: たてもの
The reading is a bit weird. It’s kun’yomi readings across the board, meaning your knowledge of 建てる hopefully can come into play here. A building is something you build, so how do you say “to build”? It’s 建てる (たてる). Since it’s a thing you build, it’s a たてもの. This reading is a bit confusing, but hopefully after a while you’ll get it if you get it wrong too many times! Maybe if you think about the building you’re in and call it a 建物 a few times it’ll sink in better?
食堂
Cafeteria
Kanji: 食 eat + 堂 hall
An eating hall is a big room in which you eat. What big rooms do you eat in? How about a cafeteria, a dining hall, or a diner?
Reading: しょくどう
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.
原因
Cause
Kanji: 原 original + 因 cause
The original cause is how you got into this mess. Forget all the things it caused, the first cause is the origin and source of what’s going on right now. You can pinpoint one thing that caused all of this!
Reading: げんいん
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.
喜劇
Comedy
Kanji: 喜 rejoice + 劇 drama
Rejoice drama isn’t so much drama as it is comedy, since it makes you rejoice.
Reading: きげき
This is a jukugo word that uses the on’yomi readings of the kanji. You should be able to read this on your own.
常識
Common sense
Kanji: 常 normal + 識 discerning
Normal discerning is the discerning you do on a daily basis, without thinking. It is all the things that you do that are common sense.
Reading: じょうしき
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.
完結
Conclusion
Kanji: 完 perfect + 結 bind
The perfect way to tie up a research paper is with a conclusion.
Reading: かんけつ
This is a jukugo word that uses the on’yomi readings of the kanji. You should be able to read this on your own.
意識
Consciousness
Kanji: 意 idea + 識 discerning
Your ideas while discerning things show your consciousness and an awareness of your surroundings. You not only know that you have ideas, but you think about them and discern them.
Reading: いしき
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.
泣き虫
Crybaby
Kanji: 泣 cry + き + 虫 insect
You’ve seen that 泣く is to cry, so you can probably guess that 泣き is just “cry.” You’ve also seen how 虫 is rarely a nice thing to call someone. So what’s a mean thing you can call someone who cries? How about a crybaby?
Reading: なきむし
The readings come from 泣く and 虫. So long as you’re okay with those two words you should be able to read this one too.
泣き声
Crying
Kanji: 泣 cry + き + 声 voice
A cry voice is a sound of crying or a sob. Don’t cry! Kanji will get easier someday!
Reading: なきごえ
The reading comes from the vocab words 泣く and 声. So long as you know those two words okay, you should be able to read this word too!
一昨日
Day before last
Kanji: 一 one + 昨 previous + 日 day
Remember how you learned that 昨日 means “yesterday?” Well one day previous to that day is the day before last.
Readings: おととい, いっさくじつ, おとつい
This reading is an exception. Let’s use this mnemonic to remember it:
The day before last you bought an “O” toe toy (おととい). It’s a kid’s toy in the shape of the letter O that you put on your toe. You know it was the day before last because you wore it all yesterday, and now today your toe is sore. If only you could go back to the day before yesterday to tell yourself not to buy that O toe toy! Or at least not to wear it for the whole next day!
詳しい
Detailed
Kanji: 詳 detailed + し + 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 detailed? It’s also detailed.
Reading: くわしい
When something is detailed it is made up of a huge quantity (くわ) of little things. And if you’re an expert on something, you’ll have a huge quantity of knowledge, too.
詳細
Details
Kanji: 詳 detailed + 細 thin
Things that are detailed and… detailed are, well, the details.
Reading: しょうさい
This is a jukugo word that uses the on’yomi readings of the kanji. You should be able to read this on your own.
晩ご飯
Dinner
Kanji: 晩 night + ご + 飯 meal
The night meal is the meal you eat at night. That is dinner.
Reading: ばんごはん
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.
外交官
Diplomat
Kanji: 外 outside + 交 mix + 官 government
Someone from the outside who comes in to mix with the government is a diplomat. Really, that’s what diplomats do, right? They come from the outside (country). They mix with the government, and they do what they’re there to do!
Reading: がいこうかん
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.
劇
Drama
Kanji: 劇 drama
The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well (drama). Can also mean play or show as well.
Reading: げき
The reading is the same as the kanji. No more drama from you, okay?
劇的
Dramatic
Kanji: 劇 drama + 的 target
Something that is drama al is dramatic.
Reading: げきてき
This is a jukugo word that uses the on’yomi readings of the kanji. You should be able to read this on your own.
干天
Dry weather
Kanji: 干 dry + 天 heaven
Remember how 天気 is weather (and how 天 often refers to sky things?). Well, when those sky things are dry, you have dry weather.
Note that 干天 is quite old-fashioned and you’ll find it mainly in formal writing and advanced set expressions.
Reading: かんてん
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.
東側
East side
Kanji: 東 east + 側 side
The East side is the East side.
Reading: ひがしがわ
Remember how 東口 read as ひがしぐち? This word is like that too, with 東 being read as ひがし. 側 is read like you learned it with the kanji.
非常
Emergency
Kanji: 非 injustice + 常 normal
When an injustice to what’s normal is being committed, that makes it an emergency!
Although it’s less common, this can also be used as a な adjective. In that case, it means extreme or unusual.
Reading: ひじょう
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.
日常
Everyday life
Kanji: 日 sun + 常 normal
Normal days are what you have in your regular everyday life. This is your normal life.
Reading: にちじょう
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.
説明
Explanation
Kanji: 説 theory + 明 bright
When you make your theory bright (and clear and easy to understand) you must have come up with an explanation for it. Before it was dark and murky in everyone’s mind. But, when you give your explanation, it gets bright and easy to understand! Yay!
Reading: せつめい
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.
失敗
Failure
Kanji: 失 fault + 敗 failure
A fault and a failure, all in one. This must have been one big failure and mistake you’ve made.
Reading: しっぱい
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. The 失 gets shortened, and 敗 gets rendaku’d, though. Don’t make that 失敗.
幻想
Fantasy
Kanji: 幻 illusion + 想 imagine
An illusion that you imagine is your big fantasy (it’s also an illusion). This makes sense, though, right? An illusion is an illusion, sure. But, when you imagine it, it becomes your fantasy!
Reading: げんそう
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.
ペラペラ
Fluent
Kanji: No kanji (congrats!)
Parrot, parrot (ペラペラ), your speaking is so fluent!
ペラペラ is an オノマトペ that describes someone speaking a language fluently, or simply being a real chatterbox.
Related to this, ペラペラ also means leafing through a book. And in an extension of that meaning, it can describe something paper thin or flimsy, like a piece of paper from that book you’re leafing through.
Reading: ペラペラ, ぺらぺら
外来語
Foreign word
Kanji: 外 outside + 来 come + 語 language
You know the word 外来 to mean “imported.” So, combine that with the kanji for language and you have an imported word, aka a borrowed word. There are a lot of these in Japanese, which makes this word important. Almost everything in katakana is a 外来語, in fact.
Reading: がいらいご
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.
無料
Free
Kanji: 無 nothing + 料 fee
When the fee is nothing it is free and without charge!
Reading: むりょう
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.
果物
Fruit
Kanji: 果 fruit + 物 thing
A fruit thing is just fruit.
Reading: くだもの
The reading for this is an exception, at least for the 果 portion. To remember this part, imagine yourself asking for some fruit. Could I (くだ) have some fruit, please?
官金
Government funds
Kanji: 官 government + 金 gold
Government gold (aka money) is what makes up government funds.
Reading: かんきん
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.
幻覚
Hallucination
Kanji: 幻 illusion + 覚 memorize
An illusion you have when you’re awake is a hallucination.
Reading: げんかく
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.
失恋
Heartbreak
Kanji: 失 fault + 恋 romance
The fault of romance isn’t the romance itself, it’s when everything falls apart. It’s when you experience heartbreak or unrequited love. Have you ever felt the fault of romance? If so, remember back to that time, and think about how terrible of a fault it is.
Reading: しつれん
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.
鼻歌
Humming
Kanji: 鼻 nose + 歌 song
Try singing a nose song. How does it sound? Like humming perhaps?
Reading: はなうた
The readings are both kun’yomi vocab readings, probably because a 鼻 is a body part, and body parts do that to jukugo words. You know 鼻’s reading from the kanji (はな) and you know 歌’s reading from the vocabulary word 歌 (うた). Combine them together and you have a very nice humming tune and reading, はなうた.
仮説
Hypothesis
Kanji: 仮 temporary + 説 theory
A temporary theory isn’t one that’s set in stone yet. In fact, it’s not really a theory at all, it’s more of a hypothesis.
This word is generally used when referring to research or some sort of investigation where a hypothesis is put forward that needs to be tested and validated through evidence and experimentation.
Reading: かせつ
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.
無知
Ignorance
Kanji: 無 nothing + 知 know
When you know nothing (Jon Snow), you know nothing. This is ignorance, it’s being ignorant.
Reading: むち
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.
