Kanshudo Component Builder
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Draw a component:
Type a component or its name:
 
Choose from a list:
Change component list
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By default the Component Builder shows the most common Joyo kanji components (ie, components which are themselves Joyo kanji, or which are used in at least 3 other Joyo kanji). Select an alternative set of components below.



For details of all components and their English names, see the Component collections.
Kanshudo Component Builder Help
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For detailed instructions, see the Component builder how to guide.
To find any kanji, first try to identify the components it is made up of. Once you have identified any component, search for it in any of three ways:
  1. Draw it in the drawing area
  2. Type the name in the text area
  3. Look for it in the list
Example: look up 漢
  • Notice that 漢 is made of several components: 氵 艹 口 夫
  • Draw any of these components (one at a time) in the drawing area, and select it when you see it
  • Alternatively, look for a component in the list. 氵 艹 口 each have three strokes; 夫 has four strokes
  • If you know the meanings of the components, type any of them in the text area: water (氵), grass (艹), mouth (口) or husband (夫)
  • Keep adding components until you can see your kanji in the list of matches that appears near the top.
Kanshudo Component Builder Drawing Help
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The Kanshudo Component Builder can recognize any of the 416 components listed in the chart below the drawing area. Tips:
  • Draw a component in the center of the area, as large as you can
  • Try to draw the component as it appears in the kanji you're looking up
  • Don't worry about stroke order or number of strokes
  • Don't draw more than one component at a time
Not finding your component?
If you believe you've drawn your component correctly but the system is not recognizing it, please:
Let us know!
ABOUT
HOW TO

Kanshudo 'how to' guides

Welcome to Kanshudo!
Here we present step-by-step guides to key functions and principles of Kanshudo. Answers to common questions can also be found in the FAQ or by using Site search.
NEW!
Search for a 'how to' guide using Site search. Enter 'howto' as one of your keywords. For example: howto learn

Your Kanshudo Japanese Mastery Level

This guide introduces the core concepts of Kanshudo: the Dashboard, Study Sessions, and your Japanese Mastery Level.

Getting started learning Japanese with Kanshudo

Designed for absolute beginners of Japanese, this guide provides the key information necessary to start learning Japanese, as well as comprehensive help for Kanshudo's Beginner Lesson series.

How to use the Kanji Wheel to guide your Japanese studies

The Kanji Wheel is a completely unique way to visualize your entire kanji knowledge, and intelligently focus your Japanese studies.

Kanshudo Challenge: the most effective way to learn kanji and words

The Kanshudo Challenge uses a combination of learning games and tests to teach you kanji and words in the most effective way possible.

How to read Japanese kanji

In this comprehensive guide, we introduce you to the different ways that kanji can be pronounced or 'read' in words, and how to use Kanshudo to find words that use a specific reading of a kanji. We also give you simple rules of thumb to use to determine how to read words you are encountering for the first time!

How to master Japanese kanji

In this guide, we teach you everything you need to know to make your study of Japanese kanji successful. If you follow this guide, you will make your kanji learning efficient, effective, and fun!

How to prioritize Japanese words to study

Kanshudo's complete guide to prioritizing Japanese vocabulary will introduce you to the most useful words in Japanese, and Kanshudo's 'usefulness' rating of words, based on a comprehensive analysis of actual usage in the real world. We'll also show you how to set your learning goals, and how to use Kanshudo to absorb Japanese vocabulary as quickly and effectively as possible.

Understanding inflections and conjugations

In Japanese several forms can be combined into a single complex word, and understanding how that works is a challenge for learners. Kanshudo provides tools to conjugate verbs and inflect words for you, and to help you understand how inflections combine.

Kanshudo's complete guide to writing Japanese

In this guide you'll learn the standard strokes used to draw all Japanese kanji, how to determine the stroke order for a kanji, the differences between printed and handwritten forms of kanji and more! In addition there are plenty of links to our kanji drawing practice tool so you can perfect your own writing style.

Read real Japanese with Kanshudo and Satori Reader

This guide introduces the Kanshudo Reading Corner, where you can read a selection of graded texts, fully annotated and linked to kanji and words for easy study. Plus, you can read about our partnership with Satori Reader, the leading online reading-focused Japanese site, and find out how to synchronize your kanji mastery data to customize your Satori Reader experience.

How to use the component builder to look up kanji

The component builder is a very fast way to look up kanji. In this guide we describe how it works, and provide detailed instructions for using it.

How to use Kanji Builder to build your kanji knowledge

Kanji Builder is a fun and challenging game that will help cement your knowledge of kanji.

How to use spaced repetition flashcards to study Japanese

Learn about the most powerful way to memorize both Japanese kanji and vocabulary.

Tips for using flashcards to learn kanji

Get some insider tips for the most effective ways to use flashcards to study Japanese kanji.

How to create flashcards from imported word lists

You probably know Kanshudo contains the most comprehensive Japanese dictionary online. But did you know you can also import word lists from other dictionaries, or lists you create yourself? Use Kanshudo to help you learn Japanese words and kanji, and manage your progress with Japanese, alongside your favorite dictionary app!
Need a new 'how to' guide? Let us know! Please CONTACT US.
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