The Joy o' Kanji Essays
Show:
Sort:
Search for essays:
愉
pleasure
JOK: 1861
Find out how to say "He is not a cheerful guy, to say the least," "The more, the merrier," 'I'm really unhappy about this,' and "Nothing offends people more than broken promises." Learn how 愉 stacks up against 楽 and why they're sometimes interchangeable. Peruse covers of books that teach people how to enjoy life more even if they're aging or are unappealing to the opposite sex.
悠
permanence
JOK: 1866
It’s hard to know how 悠 came to represent three unrelated ideas, but that enables us to say a range of things, including these: “He left the place quietly,” “I will still easily make it by the time we set,” “She remained calm even as others panicked,” “This certainly isn't a job where you can take it easy,” “You're being too relaxed about things,” and “a long, long time ago.”
窯
kiln
JOK: 1881
This photo-rich essay brings you into the fascinating world of kilns in Japan, where people have fired pottery for 10,000 years! One kiln is named for a snake. Another climbs hills and requires people to stoke the fire around the clock for weeks. Find out about "kiln effects," wherein flying ash enhances a pot's beauty. Also learn to talk about baking food in ovens and building your own wood oven!
擁
hug
JOK: 1882
Become a champion! Learn to say, “She is an ardent supporter of women’s rights,” “We must fight for our democracy,” “They stood up for the rights of their nation,” “Human rights organizations are putting pressure on authoritarian governments,” and “We put him up as a rival candidate.” Also find out why so many birds are fluttering around kanji compounds involving protection.
抑
suppress
JOK: 1884
Controlling your anger, your appetite, and even your rebellious monks—this kanji enables all of that to happen. Learn to say, “He stood by those who were oppressed,” “Jane could not stop her tears,” “Inflation is getting out of control,” “A sudden wave of nausea overpowered him,” and “He could no longer restrain himself,” as well as “He doesn't intonate when he speaks.”
羅
gauze
JOK: 1887
Learn why Buddhists eat a bitter pill before chanting, how a net relates to items arranged in a row, how beautiful clothes relate to the stars, the origin of the name "Rashomon" (it's more than a film title), why a term for "Indian gods" can represent a type of sled, why the sal tree and cypress are significant in Japan, and which body part Buddhists once amputated for a shocking reason.
雷
thunder
JOK: 1888
See how people have envisioned thunder as a god's drum or hammer. Discover how to use 雷 for applause, amazement, and explosive weapons. Learn to say, "Thunder indicates that a storm is near," "The sound of thunder comes after the flash of lightning," "Thunderclouds hung low over the whole valley," and "Tactless people are likely to step on other people's land mines."
頼
rely
JOK: 1889
Through 頼 you'll learn to trust again. The many sample sentences include "I trust him completely" and "He is a very reliable person." You'll also find out how to manipulate others with "I'm begging you," "You are my last resort," and "Can I count on you to get me the job?" You'll see what role dependence plays in Japanese culture. Finally, mnemonics will help you master the four Joyo yomi.
酪
whey
JOK: 1891
See why the kanji for “dairy product” contains the “saké” radical. While reading about dairy farming and dairy products, find out about “tree cakes,” “butter mochi,” and a snack that’s like sand. Discover the Japanese for “dairy-free.” Find out about a cheese ingredient that’s also in adhesives and other industrial products. And learn about an acid in milk, body odor, and vomit!
欄
column
JOK: 1893
Learn the sections of a newspaper, discovering how to say, “I always look at the sports pages first” and “Last week’s column got a huge reaction.” Also see how the Japanese say, “Please mark the relevant fields” and “All you have to do is fill in the blanks below.” Find out what “the comments section as a cockroach trap” really means. And learn to say, “I clutched the handrail.”
Kanshudo is your AI Japanese tutor, and your constant companion on the road to mastery of the Japanese language.
To get started learning Japanese, just follow the study recommendations on your Dashboard.
You can use Quick search (accessible using the icon at the top of every page) to look up any Japanese word, kanji or grammar point, as well as to find anything on Kanshudo quickly.
For an overview, take the tour.
