Kanji - Level 7 - Vocab

Question 1

以後

Answer 1

After this
Kanji: 以 from + 後 behind
From after, just means after this or from now on.
Reading: 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.

Question 2

辺り

Answer 2

Area
Kanji: 辺 area + り
This is the noun version of the kanji for area. This makes it have the same meaning as the kanji: area, vicinity, or neighborhood.
Reading: あたり
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:
If you think about an area that you’re in, it’s the place you’re at (あた).

Question 3

辺

Answer 3

Area
Kanji: 辺 area
The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well.
Reading: へん
This has the same reading as the kanji you learned, meaning you know the reading!

Question 4

この辺

Answer 4

Around here
Kanji: こ + の + 辺 area
この means “this” so この辺 just means this area.
Reading: このへん
The reading for the kanji portion is just what you’ve already learned with the kanji 辺 so this shouldn’t be a difficult one to read for you.

Question 5

先回り

Answer 5

Arriving ahead
Kanji: 先 previous + 回 times + り
If you get there previous to something rotating (回り), you are arriving ahead, or going ahead in anticipation.
Reading: さきまわり
This consists of a couple kun’yomi readings put together. You can tell it’s kun’yomi because of the hiragana sticking out at the end. In previous levels, you learned both the words 先 and 回る (verb version of 回り). If you know those, you should be able to put them together to learn the reading of this word as well.

Question 6

風船

Answer 6

Balloon
Kanji: 風 wind + 船 boat
A wind boat. This is a strange one for sure. You may assume this is like one of those giant balloons you can go ride around in, and you’d be partly right. Really, this word covers the general word balloon, though it especially has to do with the toy-style balloons (or smaller balloons). It’s a little round wind ship!
Reading: ふうせん
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 7

〜札

Answer 7

Bill
Kanji: 札 bill
The kanji and the word are almost exactly the same. When you see this word after a number, it’s for physical bills of money.
Reading: さつ
This is a suffix that takes the on’yomi reading, which you’ve learned already!
You’ll also see this pronounced ふだ, but that’s when it’s a standalone word or part of a compound, rather than a suffix. So if you answer with that reading, you’ll be prompted to enter the suffix reading instead.

Question 8

鳥

Answer 8

Bird
Kanji: 鳥 bird
The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well.
Reading:とり
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:
When you think about birds, what is the most common bird you can think of? What bird do you hate the most or like eating the most? Either one will work. Now, imagine yourself going up to that bird. You did something terrible. You tore (とり) off its wing and started eating it (pretend it’s cooked first, if that makes you less nauseous).

Question 9

黒い

Answer 9

Black
Kanji: 黒 black + 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 black? It’s also black. Special Note: The noun version of black also exists in Japanese. It is just 黒 with the same pronunciation, but minus the い which makes it adjective-tastic.
Reading: くろい
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:
Think of black things. One very common black thing is the common crow (くろ). Associate those two together.

Question 10

黒人

Answer 10

Black person
Kanji: 黒 black + 人 person
A black person is simply a black person, kind of like how a 白人 is a “white person,” but a different color.
Reading: こくじん
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. Since 人 has two on’yomi readings, here’s a mnemonic to help you remember which one to use:
Imagine a black person you know well wearing coke jeans (こくじん). Yep, jeans made entirely from coke bottles. That’s actually a thing. Look it up if you don’t believe me.

Question 11

青空

Answer 11

Blue sky
Kanji: 青 blue + 空 sky
This is simply a blue sky (aka a blue sky!).
Reading: あおぞら
You’d think that this word would use on’yomi readings to read it, but it doesn’t (shake that angry fist at the kanji gods!). Instead, it’s double kun’yomi, probably because this word is really like two separate words put together, “blue” and “sky.” In the previous level you unlocked these two separate words, learning their readings. That means you should be able to read this as well.
One quick note is the rendaku-fication of 空 as well. It becomes ぞら.

Question 12

船

Answer 12

Boat
Kanji: 船 boat
The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well.
Reading: ふね
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:
You’re riding in a boat. It’s great. Imagine it being the best time you’ve had in your life. You tell everyone: “This is fun, eh?” (ふね). You’re on a Canadian ship, which is why you add the “eh” in there. Say this out loud wherever you are right now while imagining the sea smell, the wind, and the excitement of boats.

Question 13

教室

Answer 13

Classroom
Kanji: 教 teach + 室 room
The teaching room is just a classroom.
Reading: きょうしつ
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.

Question 14

活用形

Answer 14

Conjugated form
Kanji: 活 lively + 用 task + 形 shape
You know that 活用 means “conjugation” and that 〜形 means “form,” so that means this is the conjugated form!
Reading: かつようけい
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 15

日記

Answer 15

Diary
Kanji: 日 sun + 記 write down
When you write down your day (and do it every day) that’s your diary.
Reading: にっき
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. Since 日 has two on’yomi readings, here’s a mnemonic to help you remember which one to use:
When you write down your day in your diary, in fact you write only about Nicky (にっき). You love Nicky so much, your diary is full of Nicky this, Nicky that. Ah, Nicky is just the best.

Question 16

〜丁目

Answer 16

District of a town
Kanji: 丁 street + 目 eye
A street you can see with your eye isn’t soooo big you can’t see it (like a town would be), but it’s still pretty big because it has a street. This section of the town is the district of a town, or a city block (though specifically one of an irregular size).
Reading: ちょうめ
The readings are the ones you learned with the kanji, so use those and you’ll be A-Okay.

Question 17

人形

Answer 17

Doll
Kanji: 人 person + 形 shape
Something that is person shaped that isn’t a person? That has to be some kind of doll or puppet.
Reading: にんぎょう
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. Since 人 has two on’yomi readings, and the reading of 形 is a bit of an oddball, here’s a mnemonic to help you:
Did you know that all dolls at Nintendo are made out of gyoza dumplings (にんぎょう)? They’ll also regularly try to get you to eat them… Mmmm, gyoza dolls. Don’t be afraid to take a bite!

Question 18

小学生

Answer 18

Elementary school student
Kanji: 小 small + 学 school + 生 life
You know 学生 is student, so what is a small student? Think young. That would be an Elementary School Student.
Reading: しょうがくせい
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 19

月末

Answer 19

End of the month
Kanji: 月 moon + 末 end
You know how 月 can also mean month? If you add 末 on there you have the “month end” aka the end of the month.
Reading: げつまつ
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. Since 月 has two on’yomi readings, here’s a mnemonic to help you remember which one to use:
When it’s the end of the month, everybody gets mats (げつまつ). We don’t pay people in money at Tofugu, but everyone gets mats at the month end instead.

Question 20

魚

Answer 20

Fish
Kanji: 魚 fish
The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well.
Reading: さかな
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:
Imagine a fish. Now imagine the fish playing soccer, while wearing a nun’s outfit. This is a soccer nun (さかな).

Question 21

床

Answer 21

Floor
Kanji: 床 floor
The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well.
Reading: ゆか
Since this word is made up of a single kanji, it probably uses the kun’yomi reading. You learned this reading with the kanji, but here’s a mnemonic in case you need a refresher:
You look at the floor. It’s disgusting. Dirtiest and nastiest floor you’ve ever seen. You say yucka (ゆか) because it’s covered in yucca (ゆか). Plus, it’s all rotten. Yucka!

Question 22

必死

Answer 22

Frantic
Kanji: 必 certain + 死 death
Your future consists of certain death. How would you feel in this situation? Probably very frantic and desperate.
Another translation for this word is simply certain death, though I’d rather you learn one of the first two before this one if you can.
Reading: ひっし
The readings are the on’yomi readings, though 必 (ひつ) gets shortened to ひっ. In your desperate situation just imagine that you’re trying to get out of it, and to do so you move the つ only to find a smaller っ blocking your way. It is certain death.

Question 23

自由

Answer 23

Freedom
Kanji: 自 self + 由 reason
When you have self reason, you are able to think for yourself. When you can think for yourself, you have freedom. Very philosophical, this vocab is.
Reading: じゆう
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 24

氏名

Answer 24

Full name
Kanji: 氏 family name + 名 name
Both of these kanji have to do with names. You have both family name and name. Both of those names together makes for a First And Last Name… a full name if you will.
Reading: しめい
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.

Question 25

未来

Answer 25

Future
Kanji: 未 not yet + 来 come
What has not yet come? The future.
未来 is usually used to talk about the distant future, and it implies that the future can’t be foreseen. So you can use it to speculate about what might lie ahead, but you probably wouldn’t use it to discuss more concrete plans, goals or predictions.
Reading: みらい
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 26

地理

Answer 26

Geography
Kanji: 地 earth + 理 reason
The reason the earth is the way it is because of the geography of it. Though it may seem kind of strange that geography is bringing reason to the earth, if you think of geography as a study, then you can think about how you try to get reason through that, as well.
Reading: ちり
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 27

金魚

Answer 27

Goldfish
Kanji: 金 gold + 魚 fish
A gold fish is really just gold in color, but it’s still called a goldfish.
Reading: きんぎょ
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.

Question 28

組

Answer 28

Group
Kanji: 組 group
The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well.
Reading: くみ
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 part of a special group. It is the cumin group, and they deal with all things cumin (the spice / seed). Smell the cumin. Touch it. Taste it. You live and breathe the stuff, because you are the president of this cumin group.
P.S. This can also be spelled 組み (same overall reading: くみ).

Question 29

手作り

Answer 29

Handmade
Kanji: 手 hand + 作 make + り
When something is hand made, it is handmade!
Reading: てづくり
The readings for these kanji are the kun’yomi readings. Just think of this word as two separate words put together (手 and 作る). The る in 作る gets changed to り because it’s an adjective, and the つ in つくり gets changed to づ because of the way the words are combined with each other. You should know most of the reading that is in this word, though it will probably take a little bit of thinking to sort out the little changes in those readings.

Question 30

大空

Answer 30

Heavens
Kanji: 大 big + 空 sky
The big thing in the sky is the heavens. The heavens where birds and planes soar, not the one you go to after you die if you’ve been really good.
Reading: おおぞら
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. Just remember that そら becomes ぞら because of rendaku here.

Question 31

高校

Answer 31

High school
Kanji: 高 tall + 校 school
The tall school is for when your kids get about as tall as they’re going to get. That’s high school, when most people stop growing taller.
Reading: こうこう
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 32

家

Answer 32

Home
Kanji: 家 home
The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well.
Readings: いえ, うち
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:
What do you do in your home? You eat eggs (いえ), that’s what. You eat eggs three times a day, every day. You really love eating eggs in your house!

Question 33

作り方

Answer 33

How to make
Kanji: 作 make + り + 方 direction
This is the way to make something. This is how to make something. You’ll see this for directions on building something.
Reading: つくりかた
This uses the kun’yomi readings from the vocab words 作る and 方. So as long as you’re okay with those, you can apply that knowledge over here.

Question 34

船体

Answer 34

Hull
Kanji: 船 boat + 体 body
A boat’s body is called the hull.
Reading: せんたい
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 35

人里

Answer 35

Human Habitation
Kanji: 人 person + 里 hometown
A person’s hometown is a human habitation, or a village. This word has a slightly old-fashioned feel, and it’s usually used for small villages in the countryside.
It’s often combined with はなれた (separated) to talk about how far away from the nearest human habitation something is.
Reading: ひとざと
This jukugo uses the kun’yomi of the kanji instead of the more usual on’yomi. You learned both of these readings when you learned the vocabulary 人 and 里. Just notice that さと becomes ざと, because of rendaku.

Question 36

大きく

Answer 36

In a big way
Kanji: 大 big + き + く
This is the adverb version of the kanji big. It’s a little thing you can put in front of things to say that they are “in a big way” or “on a grand scale.”
Reading: おおきく
Since you already know the reading of the vocab word 大きい, you should be able to read this word as well.

Question 37

内ポケット

Answer 37

Inside pocket
Kanji: 内 inside + ポ + ケ + ッ + ト
Your inside ポケット is your inside pocket.
Readings:うちぽけっと,うちポケット
This word uses the kun’yomi for the kanji. You learned that reading when you learned the word 内.

Question 38

近々

Answer 38

In the near future
Kanji: 近 near + 々 repeater
When something is close close (the 々 character repeats the kanji that was before it) it will happen in the near future, or soon.
This is pretty vague, and it’s up to the person speaking to decide how soon soon is. Depending on the person and the situation, it could technically be used for anything up to a few years!
Readings: ちかぢか, きんきん
The reading is the kun’yomi reading twice; that’s the one you learn with the vocab word 近い from the previous level. The second 近 gets converted to ぢか, though, so take note of that. To write the character ぢ, type “di” on your keyboard.

Question 39

木星

Answer 39

Jupiter
Kanji: 木 tree + 星 star
The tree star is the planet Jupiter. Imagine Jupiter covered in very strange trees — the kind that are able to take root in gas! It’s a pretty weird image, but will hopefully help you to remember this word. Alternatively, think about how the clouds around Jupiter make patterns that look a lot like wood grain.
Reading: もくせい
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 40

先週

Answer 40

Last week
Kanji: 先 previous + 週 week
The previous week was last week.
Reading: せんしゅう
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 41

以下

Answer 41

Less than
Kanji: 以 from + 下 below
Compared with this, it’s below. That’s another way to say that what you have is less than it.
Reading: いか
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 42

手紙

Answer 42

Letter
Kanji: 手 hand + 紙 paper
A hand paper is a letter because letters are generally written by hand on paper.
If you want a more graphic image, imagine writing a letter on your hand, and how much it would hurt to chop off your hand and send it.
Reading: てがみ
The reading is double kun’yomi (body parts tend to make kanji in words change to a kun’yomi reading). Both kanji in this word had you learn that reading right from the start, though, so you should be able to read this word. Just watch out for the rendaku making it がみ, not かみ.

Question 43

小声

Answer 43

Low voice
Kanji: 小 small + 声 voice
A small voice is so small that you can hardly hear it. It’s a low voice or a whisper.
Reading: こごえ
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. Just watch out because, like in 大声, the こえ becomes ごえ thanks to our old friend rendaku.

Question 44

火星

Answer 44

Mars
Kanji: 火 fire + 星 star
The fire star is Mars. This should be easy to remember, because Mars is the only planet in our solar system that’s the color of fire.
Reading: かせい
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 45

心理

Answer 45

Mental state
Kanji: 心 heart + 理 reason
The reasoning of your heart decides what you do. Probably when kanji was being made people thought that the heart directed our actions, not our brains. So, if you think about it that way, the reasoning of your heart is your mental state. Nowadays that’s known as psychology.
Reading: しんり
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 46

中学生

Answer 46

Middle school student
Kanji: 中 middle + 学 study + 生 life
You’ve seen 学生 (means student). Now let’s look at a student who’s in the middle. Perhaps we can call this a middle school student or a junior high school student, depending on where you’re from.
Reading: ちゅうがくせい
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 47

〜分

Answer 47

Minute
Kanji: 分 part
What’s part of an hour? A minute, or minutes! This word is the suffix version of 分, so it goes after numbers to say how many minutes, and is used for telling the time too.
Reading: ふん
This uses a different on’yomi than what you learned with the kanji, so here’s a mnemonic to help you remember this reading:
How many minutes of fun (ふん) will you have today? Lots and lots of minutes, I hope!
Depending on the number before 分, its pronunciation can change to ぷん, because of rendaku. We’re looking for the original reading ふん here though!

Question 48

〜氏

Answer 48

Mister
Kanji: 氏 family name
The kanji means family name because it goes after a family name in very formal situations. So, it’s really closely tied to that. Because only men got the respect back in the day, we’re calling this vocab word mister. You can call me Mr. Koichi if you’d like, too.
Reading: し
The reading for this word is the same as the kanji.

Question 49

以上

Answer 49

More than
Kanji: 以 from + 上 above
Compared with something else, this is above. That’s another way to say that what you have is more than something else. That’s all. ;)
Reading: いじょう
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.

Question 50

ナポレオン三世

Answer 50

Napoleon the third
Kanji: ナ + ポ + レ + オ + ン + 三 three + 世 world
Adding “third generation” to someone’s name means that they are the third generation of people with that name. In this case, the person’s name is ナポレオン (Napoleon), so this means Napoleon The Third, also written as Napoleon III.
Reading: なぽれおんさんせい, ナポレオンさんせい
The kanji here are pronounced exactly the same as in the standalone word 三世. That is, it’s a jukugo word which uses the on’yomi for both kanji.

Question 51

近く

Answer 51

Near
Kanji: 近 near + く
This is the noun version of the kanji near. So it also means near, or in the neighborhood of something.
Reading: ちかく
Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun’yomi reading. You already learned this reading when you learned 近い, so you should be able to read this word as well.

Question 52

海王星

Answer 52

Neptune
Kanji: 海 sea + 王 king + 星 star
The ocean king’s star is Neptune! If you know anything about Roman mythology this should be easy to remember!
Reading: かいおうせい
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 53

正月

Answer 53

New year
Kanji: 正 correct + 月 moon
You correct the moon because it’s a New Year. It’s the beginning of a fresh year, so you gotta have the moon in the correct position.
This usually refers to the first few days of a new year, and it’s one of the biggest holidays in Japan.
Reading: しょうがつ
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. Both of these kanji have a couple of on’yomi readings, so here’s a mnemonic to help you remember which ones to use:
At New Year, you hate your Shougun’s guts (しょうがつ). He doesn’t celebrate New Year, you see, so none of you get any time off. He even started a war last New Year and ruined everyone’s holidays. No wonder you hate that shougun’s guts.

Question 54

来週

Answer 54

Next week
Kanji: 来 come + 週 week
The next week is the next week. It isn’t last week or this week, it’s the next one!
Reading: らいしゅう
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 55

海魚

Answer 55

Ocean fish
Kanji: 海 sea + 魚 fish
An ocean fish is simply an ocean fish. They also happen to be the most delicious kind of fish.
Readings: かいぎょ, うみざかな
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.
Some people also use the kun’yomi readings, but it’s much less common, and generally considered colloquial.

Question 56

〜時

Answer 56

O’clock
Kanji: 時 time
If there’s a number before 時, it means o’clock. For example １時 is 1:00, and ２３時 is 23:00 or 11pm.
Reading: じ
The reading is the same as the one you learned with the kanji.

Question 57

お兄さん

Answer 57

Older brother
Kanji: お + 兄 older brother + さ + ん
This word starts with an お to make it more polite. Then it has the kanji 兄 which you already know. Lastly, it has さん which is an honorific to elevate people and be polite. This is basically the formal way of saying older brother (versus plain old 兄). It can also be used to refer to a guy that you don’t know who has a youthful appearance.
Reading: おにいさん
The reading for this one is pretty tricky, and I’d consider it an exception. To remember it, you have to learn the 兄 part, and everything else will fall into place. Here’s a mnemonic to help you:
Your (kind) older brother pushes you down on the ground. You stand up and look at your knee (にい), which is all bloody. “Why’d you do that to my knee!?” you ask. “You’re supposed to be a nice older brother, that’s why I call you お兄さん!”

Question 58

一斤

Answer 58

One loaf of bread
Kanji: 一 one + 斤 axe
One bread loaf counter is counting one loaf of bread.
Reading: いっきん
This is a jukugo word that uses the on’yomi readings of the kanji. You should be able to read this on your own. Be careful of the shortening though!

Question 59

一時

Answer 59

One o’clock
Kanji: 一 one + 時 time
When it’s one o’clock it’s one o’clock. It’s time to eat lunch, or take a nap, or something.
Reading: いちじ
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 60

以外

Answer 60

Other than
Kanji: 以 from + 外 outside
Compared with this, it’s outside what you wanted. You’ll have anything other than that.
Reading: いがい
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 61

紙

Answer 61

Paper
Kanji: 紙 paper
The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well.
Reading: かみ
The reading is the kun’yomi reading, but lucky for you that’s the reading you learned with the kanji, meaning you should be able to read this vocab too.

Question 62

時代

Answer 62

Period
Kanji: 時 time + 代 substitute
You have a period of time and it’s called a period or era! Simple!
Reading: じだい
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 63

以前

Answer 63

Previously
Kanji: 以 from + 前 front
From before, just means previously or before now.
Reading: いぜん
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.

Question 64

心理学

Answer 64

Psychology
Kanji: 心 heart + 理 reason + 学 study
The reason your heart does what it does is all psychological. The study of that is psychology.
Reading: しんりがく
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 65

本当に

Answer 65

Really
Kanji: 本 book + 当 correct + に
本当 is reality or truth (level 5 vocab). If you add on に, this changes the word to an adverb, and we get really or truly. 本当に!
Reading: ほんとうに
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 shares the reading with the level 5 本当 as well, but just has a particle on the end. Really!

Question 66

理由

Answer 66

Reason
Kanji: 理 reason + 由 reason
A reason reason is a reason! How could it not be? Do you have a reason why it shouldn’t be? I thought not.
This word means “reason” as in the reason you’re studying Japanese, or the reason you’re late. That’s why it can also mean similar words like motive and excuse.
Reading: りゆう
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 67

〜号室

Answer 67

Room number
Kanji: 号 number + 室 room
This is a counter that can be used after numbers to let you know what number room it is. It’s a room number that you use in apartments and hotels to know exactly which room you’re looking for.
Reading: ごうしつ
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 68

失礼

Answer 68

Rude
Kanji: 失 fault + 礼 thanks
When you do something that’s your fault and then you say “thanks” after you do it, that’s super-duper rude, wouldn’t you say? Imagine doing something like this and then thinking to yourself after… wow, I was really rude.
This is also often used to mean excuse me, typically followed by ですが or します. Occasionally, it’s also used just on its own, usually when the speaker holds a higher or equal status to the person being spoken to. This particular usage is more prevalent among older generations and is commonly associated with masculine speech.
Reading: しつれい
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 69

同時

Answer 69

Same time
Kanji: 同 same + 時 time
The same time? Okay, let’s say what we think this word means at the same time. Whoops, I just said it, sorry.
Reading: どうじ
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

学校

Answer 70

School
Kanji: 学 study + 校 school
A study school is obviously a place where people study and learn. In English, that’s simply a school.
Reading: がっこう
This jukugo word consists of on’yomi readings, except 学 (がく) is shortened with a small っ to make it がっこう.

Question 71

形

Answer 71

Shape
Kanji: 形 shape
The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well.
Reading: かたち
Since this word is made up of a single kanji, it should use the kun’yomi reading. You haven’t learned this reading yet, so here’s a mnemonic to help you:
You really want to eat food that’s in neat shapes, so you decide to use a cutter (かた) on your cheese (ち) to make it a new shape. Square cheese is so boring. After you cut it up you have mouse shaped cheese! It just tastes better like that.

Question 72

欠点

Answer 72

Shortcoming
Kanji: 欠 lack + 点 point
You have a lack of points. These are things about yourself you wish were better. These are your shortcomings.
Reading: けってん
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. Just watch out because けつ is being shortened to けっ here!

Question 73

雪

Answer 73

Snow
Kanji: 雪 snow
The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well.
Reading: ゆき
The reading you learned with the kanji is the same as the reading for this vocab word. Enjoy the snow!

Question 74

社会

Answer 74

Society
Kanji: 社 company + 会 meet
Not to be confused with 会社, which is a company, this is society. When a company meets together, it’s like a bunch of people, who are in groups, who come together to live in one world. That is a society.
Reading: しゃかい
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 75

強力

Answer 75

Strong power
Kanji: 強 strong + 力 power
You have strong power. You are strong and powerful. Feel your strength.
Reading: きょうりょく
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. Since 力 has two on’yomi readings, here’s a mnemonic to help you remember which one to use:
Nothing is as strong and powerful as the きょうと lock (きょうりょく). It’s a legendary lock produced in ancient きょうと, rumored to be the strongest lock in existence. What magical powers do you think lie behind the strength of the きょうと lock?

Question 76

強い

Answer 76

Strong
Kanji: 強 strong + 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 strong? It’s also strong.
Reading: つよい
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:
So you wanna be strong huh? Well, all you have to do is eat these two yogurts (つよ). One is filled with horse steroids, the other is full of bull steroids. They will make you so strong.

Question 77

夏

Answer 77

Summer
Kanji: 夏 summer
The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well.
Reading: なつ
The reading you learned with the kanji is the same as the reading for the vocab.

Question 78

夏休み

Answer 78

Summer vacation
Kanji: 夏 summer + 休 rest + み
You know that 夏 means summer and 休 means rest. What is a “summer rest” though? It’s a summer break or summer vacation.
Reading: なつやすみ
The readings are kun’yomi readings because this word is essentially two separate words put together into one word. You should know the reading for 夏 from the kanji and the reading for 休み from the vocab.

Question 79

必ず

Answer 79

Surely
Kanji: 必 certain + ず
This word looks like a verb but it’s not (sorry!). It’s an adverb. The kanji itself means certain and the vocab version means all sorts of variations on that: surely, certainly, and without exception to name a few.
Reading: かならず
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:
Ra, the Egyptian god asks you: “Can you do it? Are you certain you can build the pyramids?”
“Yes I can ra (かなら). Yes I can,” you reply.

Question 80

白鳥

Answer 80

Swan
Kanji: 白 white + 鳥 bird
There are many white birds out there, for sure, but one really stands out if you ask me. That bird is the swan. It’s big, it’s white, and it’s majestic.
Reading: はくちょう
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 81

仕組み

Answer 81

System
Kanji: 仕 doing + 組 group + み
Doing something as a group requires a system. Without some sort of structure, everyone does their own thing, and you would never be able to get stuff done as a group, you know?
仕組み refers to the concept of a “mechanism” or “system.” It includes the underlying structure, organization, or framework that governs how something works or operates, highlighting its logic, order, and other often unseen things.
Reading: しくみ
This is a word with an irregular combination of readings. 仕 uses its on’yomi reading, and 組 uses its kun’yomi reading. Here’s a mnemonic to help you remember this unusual combination:
To be more successful in doing group assignments, you came up with a system called “sheep cumin (しくみ). Why “sheep cumin”? Sheep are known to be good team players (or herd players, should I say?), so you just sticked it to the name of the group you lead, the cumin group, hoping everyone can work together better, like sheep!

Question 82

高い

Answer 82

Tall
Kanji: 高 tall + 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 tall or expensive? It’s the same: tall or expensive.
Weird that this word means both of these things, yeah? Just imagine money piled up to be really tall. That money is tall because it needs to buy something expensive.
Reading: 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:
There’s a tall dude trying to sell you something really expensive. He’s really going off on how great this item is and how you should buy it. This guy is a real salesman. A real talker (たか).

Question 83

その

Answer 83

That
Kanji: No kanji (I’m not joking!)
Remember how それ means “that one”? その has a very similar meaning: that. It’s used before a noun that’s either close to the person you’re talking to, or fairly close to both of you. For example, その本 is “that book”, and the book in question might be in the hand of the person you’re talking to, or it might be on a shelf not far from you both.
Reading: その

Question 84

あの

Answer 84

That over there
Kanji: No kanji (I’m not joking!)
Remember how あれ means “that one over there”? Well, あの means that, and goes before a noun to point out something that is far away from both you and the person you’re talking to, such as あの本 (that book over there) or あの子犬 (that puppy over there).
Notice how these words starting with あ are far away from you? We’ll be learning a few more of these, and they all follow the same pattern! What’s more, you’ll notice that words ending in の tend to go before a noun.
Reading: あの

Question 85

末

Answer 85

The end
Kanji: 末 end
The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well. Throw a “the” in there if you’d like, as well.
Reading: すえ
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’ve reached the end of the universe. Nothing is there. You step out, and you’re surprised because you get greeted by an old Canadian man. Sue, eh?(すえ) he asks you, over and over. The poor man is looking for his wife Sue, and he’s searched to the end of the universe. That’s true love. As he walks off into the distance, you hear him calling out, “Sue, eh? Sue, eh? Sue, eh?”

Question 86

一体

Answer 86

The heck
Kanji: 一 one + 体 body
Okay, so this one is really weird, sorry. Each of us only get one body in our lifetimes, right? Well what the heck! What if I want more than one body. Let’s all be mad about this together.
Reading: いったい
This is a jukugo word that uses the on’yomi readings of the kanji. You should be able to read this on your own. Just watch out because いち is shortened to いっ here!

Question 87

国民

Answer 87

The people
Kanji: 国 country + 民 peoples
The country peoples are the people of your country. They are the people.
Reading: こくみん
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 88

今週

Answer 88

This week
Kanji: 今 this + 週 week
The now week is this week.
Reading: こんしゅう
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 89

考え

Answer 89

Thought
Kanji: 考 think + え
This is a noun version of think. What is “a think”? It’s a thought.
Reading: かんがえ
You learned this reading with 考える, just cut off the る!

Question 90

千円札

Answer 90

Thousand yen bill
Kanji: 千 thousand + 円 yen + 札 bill
You know what 千円 is (1000 yen). So if you add a bill to that you get a thousand yen bill. That’s just the little rectangular piece of money that is worth 1000 yen.
Reading: せんえんさつ
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.

Question 91

時

Answer 91

Time
Kanji: 時 time
The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well.
Reading: とき
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:
What time is it? It’s time to key (とき) your enemy’s car. Imagine yourself looking at your watch, waiting until the correct time to perform a synchronized keying of someone’s car. Who do you hate the most? Whose car would you like to key?

Question 92

付ける

Answer 92

To attach
Kanji: 付 attach + け + 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 attach so the verb version is to attach something.
Reading: つける
The reading is actually the same as the one you learned with the kanji, meaning you should be able to read this one just fine.

Question 93

直る

Answer 93

To be fixed
Kanji: 直 fix + 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 fix so the verb version is similar to that, to be fixed. This word is for when something is fixed, but you’re not the one fixing it.
Reading: なおる
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 learn the なお part. Think of it this way. Something needs to be fixed. It’s urgent! You have to fix it now! (なお). This will also work with the similar word, 直す, which you’ll learn soon if you haven’t already.

Question 94

見当たる

Answer 94

To be found
Kanji: 見 see + 当 correct + た + る
This word consists of kanji with hiragana attached. Because the hiragana ends with an う sound, you know this word is a verb. It’s made up of the kanji for see and right, so what happens when you see the right thing? You manage to come upon what you’re looking for or to be found, if you’re the one who’s lost and you see the right people that are looking for you.
Note: This verb is almost always used in the negative form. It is very, very rare for it to be positive. So when you’re using it, make sure no one found the thing you’re talking about!
Reading: みあたる
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.

Question 95

切り取る

Answer 95

To cut off
Kanji: 切 cut + り + 取 take + る
If you cut and take something, you are going to cut it right off. So, this verb is to cut off.
Reading: きりとる
The readings come from 切る and 取る. So, know those words separately and you can combine them into this word.

Question 96

失う

Answer 96

To lose
Kanji: 失 fault + う
The kanji portion means fault, so you would think the verb version is “to fault.” It’s a little different, though. Think of it this way, if you “fault” something, you’re messing up. What’s a great way to mess up? By losing something. That’s why this word means to lose.
Pretend like you are supposed to hold on to someone’s wedding ring. You make the biggest fault of all. You lose it. Ouch.
Reading: うしなう
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:
So how did you lose the wedding ring anyway? Well… it was eaten by a cow. The 牛 now (うし + なう) has to have it surgically removed. What a mess!

Question 97

取り出す

Answer 97

To pick out
Kanji: 取 take + り + 出 exit + す
To take something and then remove it, is when you reach in and grab something and choose it and pull it out. This is to pick out or to take out.
Reading: とりだす
The readings come from the individual words 取る and 出す. Put them together and you should be able to read this word too.

Question 98

代わる

Answer 98

To replace
Kanji: 代 substitute + 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. The kanji itself means substitute, so we can get to the meaning of this word through that: To replace / to substitute for.
Reading: かわる
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 to remember the か portion.
You have to replace your car (か). It is getting old, and seems like it will explode at any moment, literally.

Question 99

分ける

Answer 99

To separate something
Kanji: 分 part + け + る
This word consists of kanji with hiragana attached. Because the hiragana ends with an う (in this case る) sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means part. When you’re parting something, you’re essentially separating something from others. So, this means to separate something or to divide something. Depending on the context, it can also mean to share or to classify.
Be careful not to confuse it with 分かる, a similar word with a different meaning. To do so, you’ll need to learn the reading. Think of it this way: You “separate” what you care (ける) about from everything else. You want to separate those special things you care about from all the other things you don’t care about.
Reading: わける
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 are to separate a couple of children that really have fun together. When you separate them, they begin to cry and scream: WAAAAAAAAAHHHH (わ). Poor kids.

Question 100

光る

Answer 100

To shine
Kanji: 光 sunlight + 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 sunlight, so the verb is to shine or to glitter. Just imagine what happens when sunlight hits things!
Reading: ひかる
Remember how you learned the reading for 光? Well this is almost the same thing. Just change the り to る and you’ll know this reading!

Question 101

教える

Answer 101

To teach
Kanji: 教 teach + 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 teach so the verb vocab version means to teach. It’s also used to mean to tell in a more general sense.
Reading: おしえる
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:
Think about your favorite teacher. Now think about them teaching you the following: “Today I’m going to teach you about the ocean (おし).” It is big. Really big. Inside it are krakens, space aliens, and lost cities.
Here is where you continue the lesson in your head, making it the most ridiculous lesson about the ocean you’ve ever heard. Focus in on the ocean part, since that’s the reading, always coming back to it.

Question 102

町民

Answer 102

Townspeople
Kanji: 町 town + 民 peoples
Town peoples are the townspeople! This can also be singular, so a townsperson.
Reading: ちょうみん
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 103

交通

Answer 103

Traffic
Kanji: 交 mix + 通 pass through
Even though it gets mixed up as it passes through itself, modern traffic and transport systems are pretty amazing. This word refers to traffic and transport for pedestrians, bikes, cars, buses, trains, planes… anything that gets us from A to B.
Reading: こうつう
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 104

三角形

Answer 104

Triangle
Kanji: 三 three + 角 ange + 形 shape
You already learned that 三角 means “triangle.” Well this means triangle too, but it’s the mathematical term. You should use it in math class.
Readings: さんかくけい, さんかっけい
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 105

二斤

Answer 105

Two loaves of bread
Kanji: 二 two + 斤 axe
Two bread loaf counters are counting two loaves of bread.
Reading: にきん
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 106

二時半

Answer 106

Two thirty
Kanji: 二 two + 時 time + 半 half
When it’s two o’clock and a half what time do you think it is? That would be two thirty.
Reading: にじはん
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.

Question 107

台風

Answer 107

Typhoon
Kanji: 台 machine + 風 wind
A machine that pumps wind can malfunction and make too much, causing a typhoon. It’s a really powerful machine to be able to move that much wind.
Reading: たいふう
This is a jukugo word that uses the on’yomi readings of the kanji. Instead of だい for 台 though, this uses the reading たい. Remember it like this:
When a typhoon is coming you have to tie (たい) down all of your stuff. Or, you know, if you already know the word typhoon, that’s fine too.

Question 108

大学生

Answer 108

University student
Kanji: 大 big + 学 study + 生 life
You know that 学生 means “student” and you know that 大学 means university/college. Combine the two and you have a university student / college student.
Reading: だいがくせい
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 109

不人気

Answer 109

Unpopular
Kanji: 不 not + 人 person + 気 energy
You already know 人気 which means “popular.” And you also know that 不 means “not.” So what do you get when you combine the two? Something that’s not popular or unpopular.
Reading: ふにんき
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 110

言い方

Answer 110

Way of saying
Kanji: 言 say + い + 方 direction
The way of saying something is your way of saying. This could be your accent or simply the way you talk.
Reading: いいかた
This uses the kun’yomi readings from the vocab words 言う and 方. So as long as you’re okay with those, you can apply that knowledge over here.

Question 111

考え方

Answer 111

Way of thinking
Kanji: 考 think + え + 方 direction
The think way is really the way someone thinks. That’s why this word means way of thinking.
Reading: かんがえかた
This uses the kun’yomi readings from the vocab words 考える and 方. So as long as you’re okay with those, you can apply that knowledge over here.

Question 112

弱い

Answer 112

Weak
Kanji: 弱 weak + 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 weak? It’s also weak.
Reading: よわい
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:
You just got beaten up because you’re weak. Then the bully asks you: “Yo! Why (よわ) you so weak?”

Question 113

弱点

Answer 113

Weak point
Kanji 弱 weak + 点 point
The weak point is your weak point.
Reading: じゃくてん
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.

Question 114

週末

Answer 114

Weekend
Kanji: 週 week + 末 end
The end of the week is the weekend… that is, unless you work on the weekend, but we can’t cater to everyone here.
Reading: しゅうまつ
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.

Question 115

何時

Answer 115

What time
Kanji: 何 what + 時 time
This is a good word to know to ask for the time. What is the time? This is how you ask what time it is.
Reading: なんじ
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 116

風

Answer 116

Wind
Kanji: 風 wind
The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well.
Reading: かぜ
Do you know the word “kamikaze” from WWII history? Well, it means “divine wind.” The “kaze” part is the wind part, and this word uses the same reading, making it かぜ as well.

Question 117

作家

Answer 117

Writer
Kanji: 作 make + 家 house
This is a strange one, but only at first glance. You make a house. You’d think this would mean something like “building a house” or “construction” or something. Instead, it means writer. Think of it this way: A writer makes (writes and creates works) in their home. Writers don’t make their word magic in a corporate office!
作家 is generally used to refer to someone who writes professionally as an occupation, especially in the field of literature. It can also be used more broadly to refer to a creator who produces individual works of art or craft.
Reading: さっか
This is a jukugo word, which usually means on’yomi readings from the kanji. Since the さく reading of 作 becomes さっ here, we’ve made a mnemonic for you to remember this reading:
Writers love soccer (さっか). In fact, playing soccer is how they get their inspiration. Try playing some soccer, maybe you’ll become a creator too!

Question 118

年末

Answer 118

Year end
Kanji: 年 year + 末 end
The year end is the year end aka the end of the year.
Reading: ねんまつ
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.

Question 119

黄色

Answer 119

Yellow
Kanji: 黄 yellow + 色 color
The yellow color is just the color yellow.
Reading: きいろ
The readings are the same as the readings you learned with the kanji meaning you should be able to read this word right off the bat.