JLPT N1 Kanji: 為 (Tame, Nasu) – For the Sake of Mastery 為 Readings: イ (Onyomi), ため, な-る, な-す (Kunyomi) Meaning: for the sake of, to do, to make, to act, to become The character 為 (爲) originally depicted an elephant being led by a hand. This imagery conveyed the meaning of “to do,” “to […]
JLPT N1 Kanji: 我 (GA, WARE) – Mastering the Kanji for “Self” 我 Readings: ガ (Onyomi), われ, わ (Kunyomi) Meaning: I, me, self, ego The character depicts a hand holding a serrated weapon, symbolizing “self” or “I” as a distinct entity with its own power and assertion. View JLPT N1 Kanji List How to Write
JLPT N1 Kanji: 陣 – Mastering the Meaning of “Camp” and “Formation” 陣 Readings: ジン (Onyomi), (Kunyomi) Meaning: battle array, camp, position, formation The kanji 陣 (jin) originally depicts a line of chariots or a camp formed with chariots for defense, suggesting a military formation or an encampment. View JLPT N1 Kanji List How to
JLPT N1 Kanji: 載 – Mastering “Load, Publish, Record” 載 Readings: サイ (Onyomi), の.せる, の.る (Kunyomi) Meaning: load, publish, record, place on The kanji 載 is composed of 車 (kuruma, “vehicle” or “cart”) on the left and 戈 (ka, “halberd” or “spear”) on the right, which serves as a phonetic component. The original meaning relates
JLPT N1 Kanji: 志 – Unveiling the Spirit of Ambition and Will 志 Readings: シ (Onyomi), こころざし (Kunyomi) Meaning: will, aim, ambition, resolution, intention, motive, spirit The character 志 combines 士 (scholar, samurai) and 心 (heart, mind). It depicts a person with a determined spirit or a heart set on a particular goal, thus conveying
JLPT N1 Kanji: 措 (SO, Oku) – Measures and Meanings 措 Readings: ソ (Onyomi), おく (Kunyomi) Meaning: to set aside, discard, abandon, to put, to place (in specific contexts) 形声文字 (Keisei Moji). Formed from 手 (hand radical, indicating action) and 昔 (sound component, meaning “old” or “past”). The overall meaning relates to the action of
JLPT N1 Kanji: Master 密 (Mitsu/Hisoka) – Density, Secrecy, Closeness 密 Readings: ミツ (Onyomi), ひそ.か, ひそか (Kunyomi) Meaning: Density, secrecy, closeness, intimacy, carefulness, concentration, compactness, confidentiality The character 密 is composed of 宀 (roof) and 必 (surely, certainly). The older form often included something suggesting a dense forest or thicket, conveying the idea of something
JLPT N1 Kanji: 削 (Kezuru/Saku) – Master the Art of Cutting and Reduction 削 Readings: サク (Onyomi), けず-る, はつ-る (Kunyomi) Meaning: to shave, to sharpen, to pare, to reduce, to scrape, to cut down The kanji 削 is composed of 肖 (shou), meaning ‘small’ or ‘resembling’, and 刀 (katana), meaning ‘sword’ or ‘knife’. The combination
JLPT N1 Kanji: 撤 (Tetsu) – Mastering Withdrawal & Abolition 撤 Readings: テツ (Onyomi), (Kunyomi) Meaning: remove, withdraw, abolish, repeal, clear away The radical 扌 (hand) combined with the phonetic component 徹 (thorough, penetrate). The combination implies an action of removing or clearing away with one’s hand, often thoroughly. View JLPT N1 Kanji List How
JLPT N1 Kanji: 房 (bō, fusa) – Understanding “Room, Bunch, Tassel” 房 Readings: ボウ (Onyomi), ふさ (Kunyomi) Meaning: part; counter for houses; house; room; tassel; tuft; fringe; segment (of an orange, etc.); bunch (of grapes, etc.) The character 房 (fáng) in Chinese originally depicted a house or room, specifically a single chamber. The radical 戸
JLPT N1 Kanji: 執 (shitsu, shū) – Grasping the Meaning of “執” 執 Readings: シツ, シュウ (Onyomi), とる, とらえる, とらわれる (Kunyomi) Meaning: take, grasp, hold, carry out, conduct, manage, direct, cling to The kanji 執 is composed of 幸 (kō/shiawase, meaning “luck, happiness”) and a component that suggests holding or grasping. Its original form depicts
JLPT N1 Kanji: 救 (kyuu / sukuu) – To Save, Rescue, Help 救 Readings: キュウ (Onyomi), すく(う) (Kunyomi) Meaning: save, rescue, help The kanji 救 is composed of 𠬜 (an ancient form of a hand holding something) and 求 (to seek, to ask for). This combination visually suggests “to seek with a hand” or “to
JLPT N1 Kanji: 締 – Master “Tighten, Tie, Shut” 締 Readings: テイ (Onyomi), し.める, し.まる (Kunyomi) Meaning: tighten, tie, shut, make fast, secure, bind, contract 形声文字 (Phono-semantic character). Formed from 糸 (thread), indicating tying or binding, and 帝 (emperor/ruler), which provides the sound and hints at control or tightening. View JLPT N1 Kanji List How
JLPT N1 Kanji: 博 – Mastering the Broad and Extensive 博 Readings: ハク (Onyomi), (Kunyomi) Meaning: wide, extensive,博士 (doctor), 博覧 (exhibition) The character 博 (bó) originally depicted a hand holding a measuring stick, suggesting ‘measure’ or ‘extending widely.’ Over time, it evolved to represent concepts of ‘broadness,’ ‘extensive knowledge,’ and ‘doctorate.’ View JLPT N1 Kanji
JLPT N1 Kanji: 級 (kyuu) – Master the Meaning of “Class, Grade, Level” 級 Readings: キュウ (Onyomi), (Kunyomi) Meaning: class, grade, rank, level 形声文字 (Phonetic-semantic compound). Composed of 糸 (thread), indicating connection or sequence, and 及 (reach), for sound. The original meaning relates to threads arranged in sequence, signifying “class” or “rank”. View JLPT N1
JLPT N1 Kanji: 脱 (DATSU, nu-gu, nu-geru) – Master the Kanji for “To Take Off” and “Escape” 脱 Readings: ダツ (Onyomi), ぬ-ぐ, ぬ-げる (Kunyomi) Meaning: undress, take off, remove, cast off, break away from, outgrow, elude, get rid of The kanji 脱 (datsu) is composed of 衣 (yī), meaning “clothes,” and 兌 (duì), which functions
JLPT N1 Kanji: 聴 – The Art of Listening in Japanese 聴 Readings: チョウ (Onyomi), き.く (Kunyomi) Meaning: listen, hear, hearken The kanji 聴 combines the radical 耳 (ear) with 壬 (a phonetic component indicating sound) and 直 (straight, direct). It visually represents an ear receiving sound directly, hence “to listen” or “to hear.” View
JLPT N1 Kanji: 紀 (Ki) – Mastering the Kanji for “Chronicle” and “Period” 紀 Readings: キ (Onyomi), (Kunyomi) Meaning: chronicle, account, narrative, history, annal, period, epoch, discipline The kanji 紀 is composed of the radical 糸 (thread, silk) on the left and 己 (self, body) on the right. The 糸 radical signifies continuity, order, or
JLPT N1 Kanji: 崩 (kuzureru/HOU) – Master the Meaning of “Collapse” 崩 Readings: ホウ (Onyomi), くず.れる, -くず.れ, くず.す (Kunyomi) Meaning: collapse, crumble, break down, demolish The kanji 崩 combines 山 (mountain) and 朋 (friend, group). It depicts a mountain splitting apart or falling down, giving rise to the meaning of collapse or crumbling. View JLPT
JLPT N1 Kanji: 惑 (WAKU/mado-u) – Mastering Confusion and Bewilderment 惑 Readings: ワク (Onyomi), まど, まどー (Kunyomi) Meaning: bewilder, perplex, deceive, delusion, temptation The kanji 惑 combines 戈 (spear, weapon) and 心 (heart). This combination suggests a heart being struck or assailed, leading to a state of confusion, bewilderment, or being misled. View JLPT N1
