| Meaning |
word, speech 言
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| Explanation |
Sound waves above the opened mouth 口 symbolize the spoken word. |
Used in these Kanji:
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記
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JLPT 3Joyo 2 |
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report, record, account, chronicle
KI Left: word 言 (sound waves out of a mouth 口), right: self 己 (Following the winding path I find myself.)
The words themselves make the report/record.
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言
己
Vocabulary |
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計
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JLPT 4Joyo 2 |
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measure
hakaru, KEI Left: word 言 (sound waves out of a mouth 口), right: ten 十
To put the words in groups of tens for measuring.
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言
十
Vocabulary |
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語
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JLPT 5Joyo 2 |
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talk, tell, speak
kataru, GO Left: word, speech 言 (sound waves out of a mouth 口), right: I, me 吾 (five 五 and mouth 口)
Words out of five mouths mean to speak.
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言
口
Vocabulary |
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読
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JLPT 5Joyo 2 |
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read
yomu, DOKU, TOKU Left: word 言 (sound waves out of a mouth 口), right: to sell 売 (A samurai 士 with two legs 儿 is behind a sales desk 冖 when: selling.)
Words are sold, for being read.
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言
売
儿
Vocabulary |
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話
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JLPT 5Joyo 2 |
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speak, talk, conversation
hanashi, hanasu, WA Left: word 言 (sound waves out of a mouth 口), right: tongue 舌
When words are formed by the tongue, that is speaking.
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言
舌
Vocabulary |
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言
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JLPT 5Joyo 2 |
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word, speak, say
koto, iu, GEN, GON
Sound waves above an opened mouth 口 symbolize spoken words.
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言
Vocabulary |
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詩
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JLPT 3Joyo 3 |
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poetry
SHI Left: word 言 (sound waves out of a mouth 口), right: temple 寺 (from earth 土 and built with skillful hands 寸)
The words at the temple are poems.
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言
寺
Vocabulary |
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調
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JLPT 3Joyo 3 |
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investigate, search, adjust, tone
shiraberu, totonoeru, CHŌ Left: word 言, right: around, circumference 周 (Also enclosed 冂 luck 吉 affects the surrounding) [吉 = A samurai 士 with a full mouth 口 is happy 吉]
The words are doing the rounds that there will be an investigation.
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言
周
吉
Vocabulary |
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課
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JLPT 3Joyo 4 |
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lesson, section
KA Left: word 言 (sound waves out of a mouth 口), right: fruit, result 果 (=The "rice field" 田 at the tree 木)
(Memorized) words are the fruits of this lesson.
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言
果
Vocabulary |
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議
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JLPT 3Joyo 4 |
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discussion, consultation, consideration, deliberation
GI Left: word 言, right: morality, justice 義 (If the sheep 羊 is killed by me 我 - is this justice?) [I, me 我 = with my hand 手 at the halberd 戈]
Words of morality are part of a discussion.
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言
義
我
羊
戈
Vocabulary |
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試
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JLPT 4Joyo 4 |
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test, try, experiment, attempt
kokoromiru, tamesu, SHI Left: word 言 (sound waves out of a mouth 口), right: ceremony 式 (The craftsman 工 makes a sabre 弋 for ceremony.)
The words for the ceremony need to be tested.
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言
式
工
弋
Vocabulary |
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信
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JLPT 3Joyo 4 |
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trust, believe, convince
SHIN Left: person 亻/人, right: word 言 (sound waves out of a mouth 口)
This person and his words can be trusted.
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亻
言
Vocabulary |
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説
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JLPT 4Joyo 4 |
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explain, theory, opinion, preach
toku, SETSU Left: word 言 (sound waves out of a mouth 口), right: out of 丷, older brother 兄 (= A big mouth 口 on legs 儿)
Words from my elder brother explain it.
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言
丷
兄
Vocabulary |
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談
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JLPT 3Joyo 3 |
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conversation, discussion, talk
DAN Left: word 言 (sound waves out of a mouth 口), right: flame 炎 (= 2x fire 火)
Words like flames make a conversation (or discussion.)
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言
炎
火
Vocabulary |
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許
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JLPT 2Joyo 5 |
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permit, forgive, approve
yurusu, moto, KYO Left: word 言 (sound waves out of a mouth 口), right: noon 午 (The vertical pestle hits the center of the mortar --> center of the day)
Words at noon are permitted.
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言
午
Vocabulary |
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訓
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JLPT 3Joyo 4 |
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KUN-Reading, pronounce, lesson, teach
KUN Left: word 言 (sound waves out of a mouth 口), right: river 川
Words like a river: the KUN reading.
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言
川
Vocabulary |
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護
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JLPT 1Joyo 5 |
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saveguard, defence, protect, defend, guard
GO Left: word 言, right: (only as a radical) seize, snare  (a plant weave 艹 to lure a bird 隹 underneath and grab it by hand 又)
(A convincing argument:) Words that seize/capture can protect you.
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言
隹
艹
Vocabulary |
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講
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JLPT 2Joyo 5 |
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lecture
KŌ Left: word 言 (sound waves out of mouth 口), right: to pile up (originally two baskets, the lower one 再 turned upside down.)
Words piled up are a lecture.
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言
Vocabulary |
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識
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JLPT 2Joyo 5 |
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knowledge, consciousness (in buddist sense), thinking
SHIKI From left: Word 言, sound 音 (Stand up 立 into the day 日 with music [of the clock radio?]) and halberd 戈
His words on the sound of the halberd prove his knowledge.
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言
音
戈
Vocabulary |
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謝
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JLPT 1Joyo 5 |
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apologize, thanks
ayamaru, SHA Left: word 言, right: to shoot 射 (The body 身 [is in a lateral position] and has a skillful hand 寸, when shooting)
The words after the shot were apologies.
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言
身
寸
Vocabulary |
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証
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JLPT 1Joyo 5 |
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proof
SHŌ Left: word 言 (sound waves out of a mouth 口), right: correct 正
Words that are correct serve as a proof.
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言
正
Vocabulary |
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設
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JLPT 2Joyo 5 |
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establish, organize, provide, arrange
mōkeru, SETSU Left: word 言 (sound waves out of a mouth 口), right: weapon 几 (battle axe) in a hand 又
With words and a weapon in the hand to establish sth.
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言
殳
Vocabulary |
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評
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JLPT 2Joyo 5 |
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criticism, estimation, comment
HYŌ Left: word 言, right: flat/plain 平 (image of a scales)
Words should be balanced when they contain criticism.
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言
平
Vocabulary |
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警
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JLPT 2Joyo 6 |
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warn, police, guard, admonish
KEI Top: respect 敬 (A plant 艹 speaking a sentence 句 can strike 攵 with respect.) [sentence 句 = wrapped 勹 in the mouth 口], below: word 言
With respectful words the police is warning.
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敬
言
攵
Vocabulary |
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誤
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JLPT 2Joyo 6 |
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error, mistake, mis-
ayamaru, GO Left: word 言, right: Wu-dynasty, to give 呉 (Person 口 leaning back in a relaxing armchair, because he gave sth.)
The words of the Wu dynasty are erroneous.
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言
呉
Vocabulary |
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詞
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JLPT 2Joyo 6 |
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word, phrases, part of speech
kotoba, SHI Left: word 言 (sound waves out of a mouth 口), right: administration 司 (... where sb. is sitting in a corner⌝ throwing a sheet 一 of paper in the wastebasket 口)
Words of the administration are (nothing but) words.
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言
司
Vocabulary |
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誌
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JLPT 2Joyo 6 |
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magazine, journal, document, record
SHI Left: word 言 (sound waves out of a mouth 口), right: samurai 士 and heart 心
Words about the samurai's heart are in magazines.
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言
士
心
Vocabulary |
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諸
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JLPT 2Joyo 6 |
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various, several, many
moro, SHO Left: word 言, right: person 者 (The old man 耂 shows in the sun 日 his whole person.)
The words of that person can mean various things.
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言
者
耂
Vocabulary |
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誠
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JLPT 1Joyo 6 |
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truthful, sincerity, good faith, admonish
makoto, SEI Left: word 言, right: to achieve/become 成 (In the direction 方 of the halberds 戈 we will achieve.)
Words become truth.
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言
成
戈
Vocabulary |
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討
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JLPT 1Joyo 6 |
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attack, assault, defeat, chastise
utsu, TŌ Left: word 言 (sound waves out of a mouth 口), right: skillful hand 寸
With words and skillful hands, you can attack.
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言
寸
Vocabulary |
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認
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JLPT 2Joyo 6 |
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recognize, appreciate
mitomeru, NIN Left: word 言, right: to endure 忍 (a blade 刃 in the heart 心 is endured.) [blade 刃 = knife 刀 with marked 丶 blade]
Such words should be endured to gain recognition.
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言
刃
心
Vocabulary |
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訪
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JLPT 2Joyo 6 |
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visit, to call on, inquire
otozureru, tazuneru, HŌ Left: word 言 (sound waves out of a mouth 口), right: direction/side 方
Words into your direction shall: "visit" you.
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言
方
Vocabulary |
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訳
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JLPT 1Joyo 6 |
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translate, meaning
wake, YAKU Left: word 言, right: measure of length 尺 (from the body 口 one foot 八 offset = 1 Shaku = 30.3 cm)
When words are offset by a certain measure (=1 Shaku) this is their translation.
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言
尺
Vocabulary |
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論
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JLPT 2Joyo 6 |
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debate, argument, opinion, discourse
RON Left: word 言 (sound waves out of a mouth 口), right: (Chinese only) line up 侖 (lid  on a bundle of bamboo writing tablets 冊)
Words are well lined-up in a debate.
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言
侖
冊
Vocabulary |
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詠
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JLPT 1Joyo 7 |
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poem, recitation, compose, recite
yomu, EI Left: word 言 (sound waves out of a mouth 口), right: long time, eternal 永 (I emphasize 丶 water 水 is there eternally.)
Words that exist eternally are: the poems.
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言
永
Vocabulary |
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謁
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JLPT 1Joyo 7 |
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audience (with high person)
ETSU Left: word 言, right: variation of easy/simple 易 (sun 日 and rays 勿, with a sitting person 匕 instead of two rays
When words come from a sun shining down to you (= a small sitting person), you are at an audience.
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言
曷
易
Vocabulary |
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該
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JLPT 1Joyo 7 |
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relevant, correspond, as above-stated, the said
GAI Left: word 言, right: zodiac boar 亥 =var. of pig 豕/ 豚
The words that also this kanji: 亥 is a pig, are (as said) relevant.
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言
亥
豕
Vocabulary |
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詰
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JLPT 2Joyo 7 |
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pack, fill, stuff, full
tsumu/maru/meru, KITSU Left: word 言 (sound waves out of a mouth 口), right: good luck/fortune 吉 (= A samurai 士 with a full mouth 口 is happy.)
With words of good luck he is packed.
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言
吉
士
Vocabulary |
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謹
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JLPT 1Joyo 7 |
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respectful, humble, reverently, circumspect, discreet
tsutsushimu, KIN Left: word 言, right: blooming flower 堇 (plant 艹 with 2 blossoms ロロ at growing plant  )
Words should be like blooming plants: respectful!
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言
堇
艹
Vocabulary |
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謙
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JLPT 1Joyo 7 |
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humble, modest, self-effacing
herikudaru, KEN Left: word 言, right: combine, concurrently 兼 (A hand ナ/ヨ holds two rice plants 禾 combined & concurrently.)
Words combined with modesty.
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言
兼
Vocabulary |
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誇
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JLPT 1Joyo 7 |
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proud, boast, pride, triumphantly
hokoru, KO Left: word 言 (sound waves out of a mouth 口), right: 夸 (This is similar to: jaw, chin 顎 (= Under the eyes ロロ on the head 頁 is the jaw 丂)
When your words come from such a fat 太 jaw 丂, you are proud and boast.
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言
太
大
丂
Vocabulary |
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獄
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JLPT 1Joyo 7 |
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prison
GOKU From left: wild animal 犭(dog on hind legs), word 言, dog 犬
(The wild animal stands for the criminal and the tame dog is the good citizen:) A wild animal is tamed with words into a dog, when being in prison.
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犭
言
犬
Vocabulary |
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詐
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JLPT 1Joyo 7 |
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lie, deceive, cheat
SA Left: word 言 (sound waves out of a mouth 口), right: while, during 乍 (image of a saw 乍; cf. 作 where a person 亻used it 乍 to make sth.)
Words, that were "fabricated", are the lies.
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言
乍
Vocabulary |
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諮
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JLPT 1Joyo 7 |
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consult with, counsel, inquire
hakaru, SHI Left: word 言, right: next 次 (ice 冫is lacking 欠, what comes next?), mouth 口
Words from the next (person's) mouth to consult with.
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言
次
Vocabulary |
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訟
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JLPT 1Joyo 7 |
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court of justice, sue, accuse
SHŌ Left: word 言, right: public 公 (Eight 八 noses ム form the public.)
The words are public at the court.
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言
公
ム
Vocabulary |
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詔
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JLPT 1Joyo 7 |
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Imperial edict
mikotonori, SHŌ Left: word 言, right: call /summon 召 (.. with sword 刀 and mouth 口)
Words for summoning: That is the imperial edict.
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言
召
Vocabulary |
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詳
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JLPT 1Joyo 7 |
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detailed, accurate, minute
kuwashii, SHŌ Left: word 言 (sound waves out of mouth 口), right: sheep 羊 (The horned 丷 animal with a backbone 丨 and laterally protruding (by thick wool 三) is the: sheep)
Words as protrudingly as the thick wool of a sheep are detailed.
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言
羊
Vocabulary |
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譲
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JLPT 1Joyo 7 |
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hand over, give, devolve, defer, convey
yuzuru, JŌ Left: word 言, right:  six 六, well 井, clothes 衣
With these words, six wells and clothes were handed over.
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言
六
井
衣
Vocabulary |
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診
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JLPT 1Joyo 7 |
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diagnose, medical examination, diagnostics, checkup
miru, SHIN Left: word 言, right: skin rash 㐱 (person 人 with eczema 彡) [cf. 疹 = しん = measles]
Words tell the person with eczema his: diagnosis of the medical examination.
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言
彡
Vocabulary |
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誓
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JLPT 1Joyo 7 |
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oath, pledge, swear, vow
chikau, SEI Top: to break 折 (A hand 扌 with an axe 斤 can make things break.), bottom: word 言
Put your hand on the axe and speak the words: This is my oath.
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折
斤
言
Vocabulary |
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請
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JLPT 1Joyo 7 |
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request, ask, solicit, undertake
kou, ukeru, SEI, SHIN Left: word 言 (sound waves out of a mouth 口), right: young, blue 青 (Growing plants appear in the moonshine 月 as blue and young)
The words of the youth are (nothing but) requests.
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言
青
Vocabulary |
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託
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JLPT 1Joyo 7 |
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trustworthy, entrust, consign
TAKU Left: word 言 (sound waves out of mouth 口), right: 乇 (= plant with roots)
A word that is firmly rooted is trustworthy.
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言
Vocabulary |
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諾
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JLPT 1Joyo 7 |
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consent, agree, assent
DAKU Left: word 言, right: young 若 (The plant 艹 that is taken by hand  into the mouth 口 is young) [.. because old 古 things 囗 are too hard 固 for me]
(The youth is our future:) To the words of the youth can be agreed.
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言
若
艹
右
Vocabulary |
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誕
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JLPT 1Joyo 6 |
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birth, nativity, be born
TAN Left: word 言, right: delay, extend 延 (Movement 廴 is correct 正 (= is needed) to extend.)
(A birth is painful and she screams with long words: Thiiiis is soooooo painful!) Words are extended at the: birth. OR: The description (= the word) for that one (= the family) spreads (= become more) is: "birthday".
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言
廴
正
Vocabulary |
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訂
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JLPT 1Joyo 7 |
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revise, correct, decide, amend, rectify
TEI Left: word 言 (sound waves out of mouth 口), right: city block 丁
With words it was demanded that the nail should be revised and amended.
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言
丁
Vocabulary |
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謄
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JLPT 1Joyo 7 |
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copy, transcribe
TŌ Left + top: imperial WE 朕 (A body 月/肉 out of 丷 the heaven 天: that's Us), below: word 言
Our imperial word is copied (= widely distributed).
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朕
龹
言
丷
天
Vocabulary |
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罰
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JLPT 1Joyo 7 |
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punishment, penalty, fine
BATSU, BACHI Top: var. of eye 罒, below: word 言, knife 刂
Use a (deprecating) stare, words and knifes for: punishing.
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罒
言
刂
Vocabulary |
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譜
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JLPT 1Joyo 7 |
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(musical) notation, score (music), genealogy
FU Left: word 言, right: generally 普 (Lining up 並 in the sun 日 is done generally) [to line up 並 = 2x standing 立立 in a line]
"Words" that are lined up on a written page 日: This is a musical notation.
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言
並
Vocabulary |
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謀
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JLPT 1Joyo 7 |
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conspire, plot, scheme, strategy, stratagem
hakaru, hakarigoto, BŌ, MU Left: word 言 (sound waves out of mouth 口), right: a certain 某 (Sweets 甘 from the tree 木 for a certain person) [sweet = 甘 = a mouth with sth. in]
The words that sweets are in that tree are a conspiracy.
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言
某
甘
木
Vocabulary |
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諭
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JLPT 1Joyo 7 |
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instruct, admonish, persuade
satosu, YU Left: word 言, right: (Chinese only:) transport 俞 (Cut something off the body 月/肉 with the knife 刂, put a lid on and ready for the transport.) [cf. transport 輸]
Words transport instructions and admonishments.
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言
俞
Vocabulary |
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誘
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JLPT 1Joyo 7 |
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invite, ask, induce, tempt, lead
sasou, YŪ Left: word 言, right: excellent 秀 (= A rice plant 禾 plump like a 'pregnancy belly' 乃 is excellent.)
Words with excellence are inviting.
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言
秀
禾
乃
Vocabulary |
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誉
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JLPT 1Joyo 7 |
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praise, honor, fame, reputation, credit
homare, YO Top: 兴 (light  , low table  ), bottom: word 言 (sound waves out of a mouth 口)
The light on the table illuminates: the words of praise.
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言
Vocabulary |
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謡
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JLPT 1Joyo 7 |
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noh-chant, recitation
utai, utau, YŌ Left: word 言, right: var. of shake/swing/rock 揺 (Two hand 扌,爫 reach out for a swinging/shaking can 缶.)
Words are swinging in Noh chant.
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言
爫
缶
Vocabulary |
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訴
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JLPT 1Joyo 7 |
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accuse, sue, appeal
utta eru, SO Left: word 言, right: repel/refuse 斥 (With the axe 斤 an emphasised 丶 repelling.)
Use words to repell sth. in a accusation or court trial.
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言
斤
丶
Vocabulary |
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諧
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JLPT -Joyo 7 |
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harmony, calm, joke, jest
KAI Left: word 言, right: all/everyone 皆 (I compare 比, but the rays ノ of the sun 日 make it white 白: all & everything!)
Words for all of us are: jokes in harmony.
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言
皆
比
Vocabulary |
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詣
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JLPT -Joyo 7 |
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visit a temple
mōderu, KEI Left: word 言, right: tasty, purpose 旨 (He is sitting 匕 in the sun 日 and enjoys the tasty.)
Words that are tasty are spoken when visiting a temple.
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言
旨
Vocabulary |
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詮
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JLPT -Joyo 7 |
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discussion, search, inquire
SEN Left: word 言, right: all, complete 全 (Under the roof 人 the king 王 owns all.)
Words should be complete in a discussion or inquiry.
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言
全
Vocabulary |
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誰
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JLPT -Joyo 7 |
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who (question word)
dare, Left: word 言 (sound waves out of mouth 口), right: bird 隹
(You can't see the speaker, so you can only guess who spoke:) Words like from 'birds', but by whom?
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言
隹
Vocabulary |
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諦
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JLPT -Joyo 7 |
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resign, abandon, give up
akirameru, TEI Left: word 言, right: emperor 帝 (Stand up 立 and cover 冖 with cloth 巾, because he comes: the emperor!)
(An emperor did not speak to the people - Exception: surrender declaration of 15.8.1945 with the renunciation of the throne) The words from the emperor are a resignation.
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言
帝
巾
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謎
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JLPT -Joyo 7 |
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riddle, puzzle, enigma
nazo, Left: word 言, right: astray, illusion 迷 (Who moves 辶 [from a center] into eight 米 directions is astrayed and perplex.)
The words are astraying in a riddle.
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言
辶
米
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訃
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JLPT -Joyo 7 |
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obituary, news of so.'s death
FU Left: word 言 (sound waves out of mouth 口), right: divine 卜
Words are predictable (= divinable) in an obituary.
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言
卜
Vocabulary |
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| Similar Radicals (either meaning or view) |  |
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At this page you get the memory phrases for learning the Japanese Kanji. If you are learning the Chinese Hanzi, please follow this link. |
List of the characters |
List of the radials
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