JLPT N1 Kanji: 迫 (HAKU, semaru) – Approaching the Depths of Meaning 迫 Readings: ハク (Onyomi), せま.る (Kunyomi) Meaning: Urge, press, compel, draw near, imminent, close in The kanji 迫 combines the radical ⻌ (辵, “movement,” “walk”) with 白 (haku, “white,” here used phonetically and possibly implying “clearing the way” or “making something clear by […]
JLPT N1 Kanji: 逮 (tai) – Apprehend, Catch, Chase 逮 Readings: タイ (Onyomi), (Kunyomi) Meaning: apprehend, catch, chase A semantic-phonetic compound. The radical 辶 (辵) means “walk” or “movement,” and 隶 (read as tai) acts as a phonetic component also conveying a sense of “attached” or “subordinate.” Together, it implies “to pursue and catch up
JLPT N1 Kanji: 善 – Understanding Goodness and Virtue 善 Readings: ゼン (Onyomi), よ.い, よ.く, よし (Kunyomi) Meaning: good, virtuous, right, proper The kanji 善 combines 羊 (hitsuji), meaning “sheep,” which traditionally symbolizes good fortune, beauty, or auspiciousness, with a phonetic component (originally 言 “words”). The original form depicted a sheep and words, implying “good
JLPT N1 Kanji: 康 (Kou) – Mastering Health and Peace 康 Readings: コウ (Onyomi), (Kunyomi) Meaning: health, peaceful, ease The character 康 combines 广 (house/shelter) and 庚 (meaning ‘calm’ or ‘stable’). It depicts a comfortable and secure dwelling, leading to the meanings of peace, health, and well-being. View JLPT N1 Kanji List How to Write
JLPT N1 Kanji: 司 (Shi / Tsukasa) – Master of Management 司 Readings: シ (Onyomi), つかさ, つかど-る (Kunyomi) Meaning: Director, official, command, manage, officiate The kanji 司 depicts a mouth (口) with a horizontal line above it, signifying someone giving orders or overseeing. It represents the idea of managing, commanding, or officiating. View JLPT N1
JLPT N1 Kanji: 避 (Hi, Sa.keru, Yo.keru) – To Avoid, Evade 避 Readings: ヒ (Onyomi), さ.ける, よ.ける (Kunyomi) Meaning: avoid, evade, ward off, avert, shun The radical 辶 (辵) represents “movement” or “walking.” The right part, 辟 (heki), means “to avoid,” “to open,” or “to ward off.” Together, the kanji 避 suggests “to move away
JLPT N1 Kanji: 闘 – Master the Meaning of “Fight” and “Struggle” 闘 Readings: トウ (Onyomi), たたか(う) (Kunyomi) Meaning: fight, struggle, battle The kanji 闘 (鬥) depicts two figures engaged in a fierce struggle or fight. The radical 鬥 itself represents “fight” or “combat.” View JLPT N1 Kanji List How to Write – Stroke Order
JLPT N1 Kanji: Master 狙 (nerau, sogeki) – Aim, Target, Stalk 狙 Readings: ソ (Onyomi), ねら.う, ねら.い (Kunyomi) Meaning: aim, target, stalk, snipe Formed from 犬 (いぬ – dog) and 且 (a phonetic component that originally depicted stacked meat, giving the idea of “further” or “in addition,” but here might hint at an animal focusing
JLPT N1 Kanji: 筋 (suji/KIN) – Mastering Muscle, Plot, and Logic 筋 Readings: キン (Onyomi), すじ (Kunyomi) Meaning: muscle, sinew, tendon; streak, stripe; plot, thread (of a story/argument); aptitude, talent Formed from the radical 竹 (bamboo, symbolizing straightness, flexibility, and fibrous structure) and 刀 (sword/knife, suggesting cutting or defining lines). The character conceptually represents the
JLPT N1 Kanji: 継 (KEI, tsugu) – Inherit, Succeed, Join 継 Readings: ケイ (Onyomi), つ.ぐ, つ.ぎ (Kunyomi) Meaning: inherit, succeed, patch, join The kanji 継 combines the radical 糸 (thread) with 季 (season/period, here used for sound and meaning of connection/succession). It metaphorically represents the action of connecting or continuing things, much like threads are
JLPT N1 Kanji: 障 (Shō) – Overcoming Obstacles in Japanese 障 Readings: ショウ (Onyomi), さわ.る, さわ.り (Kunyomi) Meaning: obstacle, barrier, hinder, harm, injury The kanji 障 (shō) is a phono-semantic compound. The left radical 阜 (こざとへん, kozatohen) represents a mound or an elevation, often associated with hills or earth, implying something that blocks or obstructs.
JLPT N1 Kanji: 創 – Create, Originate, or Even a Wound! 創 Readings: ソウ (Onyomi), つく.る, はじ.める, きず (Kunyomi) Meaning: create, originate, establish, wound, injury The kanji 創 is composed of 立 (to stand, establish) and 倉 (storehouse, providing the ‘sō’ sound). This combination suggests the idea of ‘erecting’ or ‘establishing’ something new, like building
JLPT N1 Kanji: 儀 (gi) – Understanding Ceremonies, Manners, and Dignity 儀 Readings: ギ (Onyomi), (Kunyomi) Meaning: ceremony, rule, model, rites, honor, respect A semantic-phonetic compound. The left radical 人 (human) indicates the meaning related to people. The right component 義 (righteousness, justice) provides both phonetic and semantic cues, suggesting proper conduct, rituals, or ceremonies
JLPT N1 Kanji: 興 – Unveiling its Meanings of Prosperity and Interest 興 Readings: コウ (Onyomi), おこ.る, おこ.す (Kunyomi) Meaning: prosperity, amusement, interest, revive, rise The kanji 興 combines elements suggesting a raised platform or foundation (similar to 臼) and something rising or initiating (related to 同). It originally depicted something rising up, evolving to
JLPT N1 Kanji: 債 – Unraveling the Meaning of “Debt” 債 Readings: サイ (Onyomi), (Kunyomi) Meaning: debt, bond, loan 形声文字 (Keisei moji). Combination of 亻 (person) and 責 (responsibility/blame), indicating something a person is responsible for or owes. View JLPT N1 Kanji List How to Write – Stroke Order The kanji 債 consists of 13
JLPT N1 Kanji: 壊 (Kowasu/Hakai) – Master the Meaning of “Break” 壊 Readings: カイ (Onyomi), こわ.す, こわ.れる (Kunyomi) Meaning: break, destroy, demolish, smash, collapse The kanji 壊 is formed from 土 (earth) and 壞, an older form. 壞 is composed of 圭 (soil mound) and 戈 (halberd/weapon), suggesting breaking or disturbing earth. The modern form
JLPT N1 Kanji: 臨 (rin, nozomu) – Facing, Attending, On the Verge of 臨 Readings: リン (Onyomi), のぞ-む (Kunyomi) Meaning: face, meet, confront, attend, look to, be on the verge of The character 臨 depicts a person (人) looking down from a high place (品) onto a dish (皿). This suggests the meaning of “overlooking,”
JLPT N1 Kanji: 皇 (KOU, OU) – Emperor, Imperial 皇 Readings: コウ, オウ (Onyomi), (Kunyomi) Meaning: Emperor, imperial A combination of 白 (white, bright) and 王 (king). Suggests a ruler who is pure, bright, or divine. View JLPT N1 Kanji List How to Write – Stroke Order The kanji 皇 consists of 9 strokes. It
JLPT N1 Kanji: 盛 (moru, sakaru, sakan, SEI, JOU) – Prosperity and Abundance 盛 Readings: セイ, ジョウ (Onyomi), も.る, さか.る, さか.ん (Kunyomi) Meaning: prosperous, flourishing, vigorous, popular, full, prime The kanji 盛 is composed of 成 (sei, jo), meaning “to complete” or “to accomplish,” and 皿 (sara), meaning “dish” or “plate.” The combination suggests a
JLPT N1 Kanji: 吉 – Unlocking the Meaning of Auspicious Fortune 吉 Readings: キチ, キツ (Onyomi), よし (Kunyomi) Meaning: Fortunate, good luck, joy, auspicious The kanji 吉 is composed of 士 (scholar, gentleman, implying uprightness or correctness) and 口 (mouth, representing speaking or declaration). Together, it conveys the idea of an auspicious declaration or a
