Kanji and kana
Practical guides on speaking, grammar, pronunciation, listening, and study planning, written for learners who want to use Japanese in real life.
Kanji and kana
Kanji for Strength: 力 vs 強, and When to Use 強さ or 力強い
The main kanji for strength is 力 (chikara), which means physical power, ability and effort. The other is 強 (tsuyoi, strong), which describes the quality of being strong; as a noun, strength is 強さ (tsuyosa).
9 min readKanji for Courage: 勇 and 勇気, Plus 勇ましい and 度胸
The kanji for courage is 勇 (yū), and the everyday Japanese word for courage is 勇気 (yūki). To find the courage to do something is 勇気を出す, and a person with nerve has 度胸 (dokyō).
9 min readKanji for Peace: 平和, 和 and 安らか, from World Peace to Peace of Mind
The Japanese word for peace is 平和 (heiwa), written with 平 (flat, calm) and 和 (harmony). 平和 is peace between countries and in society; for inner peace, Japanese usually says 心の安らぎ (peace of mind) or 穏やか (calm, gentle).
9 min readKanji for Hope: 希望, 望み and 願い, and How to Say I Hope
The Japanese word for hope is 希望 (kibō), written with 希 (to hope, rare) and 望 (to wish for, to look out). For a personal wish, Japanese often uses 願い (negai), and to say I hope in conversation, people use patterns like ~といいな, not 希望します.
9 min readKanji for Patience: 忍 and 忍耐, Plus 耐える, 辛抱 and 我慢
The classic kanji for patience is 忍 (nin), the kanji of 忍耐 (nintai, endurance) and 忍者 (ninja). In daily life, Japanese speakers usually talk about patience with 我慢 (gaman, putting up with something), 辛抱 (shinbō, sticking it out) and the verb 耐える (taeru, to endure).
9 min readKanji for Honor: 誉 and 名誉, and Honour vs Pride (誇り, 義)
The kanji for honour is 誉 (yo, homare), and the everyday word is 名誉 (meiyo), honour or good name. Pride is a different word, 誇り (hokori), and the sense of duty or righteousness often linked to honour is 義 (gi).
9 min readKanji for Trust: 信, 信頼 and 信じる, and When to Say 信用
The kanji for trust is 信 (shin), made of a person 亻 and words 言. The main word for trust is 信頼 (shinrai); to believe is 信じる (shinjiru), and trust based on a track record, including credit, is 信用 (shin'yō).
9 min readKanji for Gratitude: 感謝, 謝, 恩 and お礼 Explained
The Japanese word for gratitude is 感謝 (kansha), written with 感 (feeling) and 謝 (thanks). 謝 also means to apologise, as in 謝る (ayamaru), and two other words complete the picture: お礼 (orei), a thank-you, and 恩 (on), a debt of kindness.
8 min readKanji for Freedom: 自由 and 由, and Freedom vs 気まま
The Japanese word for freedom is 自由 (jiyū), written with 自 (self) and 由 (reason, origin). It means freedom in every sense, from political rights to free time, while 気まま (kimama) means carefree, doing just as you please.
9 min readKanji for Wisdom: 知, 智 and 賢, and 知恵 vs 知識
The everyday Japanese word for wisdom is 知恵 (chie), written with 知 (to know) and 恵 (blessing). 智 (chi) is a more literary kanji for wisdom used often in names, 賢 (ken) means wise or clever, and 知識 (chishiki) is knowledge, which is not the same as wisdom.
9 min readKanji for Dream: 夢 (Yume), Its Readings, Words and Meaning
The Japanese kanji for dream is 夢, read yume when it stands alone and mu in many compound words. It covers both the dreams you have while asleep and the dreams you chase while awake, just like the English word.
10 min readKanji for Love: 愛 vs 恋, and Which One Fits Your Love
Japanese has two main kanji for love: 愛 (ai), deep, caring love of any kind, and 恋 (koi), romantic love and longing for someone. For a partner, family, a pet or humanity, 愛 fits; for a crush or falling in love, 恋 fits, and the two join in 恋愛, romance.
10 min readPractical guides
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