The Joy o' Kanji Essays
This page provides a synopsis of all 544 kanji that have so far been featured by Joy o' Kanji. Each section provides the ability to purchase and download a kanji essay (), study flashcards for the essay content (), play entertaining study games (), or view the kanji's details on Kanshudo ().
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嘱
entrust
JOK: 1429
Learn how this tangle of a kanji entangles people in relationships. Also find out how to say this: “The world had its eyes on Japan,” “We place a great deal of hope for the future in these young men,” “People expect that he will become a teacher,” “I entrusted him with collecting data,” “Even after retiring, I continue to work part-time,” and “He was regarded as a very promising writer.”
辛
spicy
JOK: 1432
This essay will make your mouth and eyes water! You'll encounter words for "spicy," "salty," and "mustard," plus a regional dish with shiso leaves rolled around chili peppers. You'll learn to order dry saké or vodka diluted with tomato juice. This essay even shows how to make kanji sandwiches with the 辛 radical. Good times! Oh, and it explores bitterness about life's hardships!
唇
lips
JOK: 1435
Lips convey emotion when we seldom realize it! Find out how to say, "I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing," "Lips quivering, she burst into tears," and "He put his finger to his lips as a sign to be quiet." Learn to talk about chapped lips and remedies. And discover phonetics terms involving lips, as well as the Japanese for "You can see how my lips move when I pronounce the word."
娠
with child
JOK: 1436
Learn to say, "I'm pregnant," and find out how a man might question his connection to the matter. Learn to talk about fertility, pregnancy tests, and morning sickness. See how one manga artist managed to be pregnant for 17 months! Read about ceremonies in which doctors draw kanji (e.g., 犬: dog) on women's sashes. And discover a shrine that displays imagery of female genitalia.
震
tremble
JOK: 1444
To understand Japan is to grapple with its earthquakes. This essay examines them from all angles, including Haruki Murakami's surprising take on the Kobe quake; possible harbingers of a quake; surveys of the worst disasters and most quake-prone regions of Japan; the Japanese intensity scale, plus older ways of characterizing the levels; earthquake-resistant buildings; and more!
迅
fast
JOK: 1448
See how 迅 connects to thunder, lions, and the military, as well as swift action. Learn to say, “He promptly coped with the situation,” “The office staff worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem,” “If a serious crisis arose, the government would have to act swiftly,” and “The invading army, initially considered to have irresistible force, turned out to be unexpectedly weak.”
甚
excessive
JOK: 1449
With the planet coming apart at the seams, 甚 is a timely kanji, helping people discuss intense damage and major disasters. Moving beyond environmental doom, you can use 甚 to say "serious misunderstanding," "quite thoughtless," and "big monetary losses." On the brighter side, this kanji enables you to say "deeply impressed," "very deep meaning," and "He liked you a lot.”
粋
purity
JOK: 1455
By studying 粋, you might learn how to be cool, and you’ll definitely learn to comment on people’s failed attempts at stylishness! You’ll immerse yourself in the spirit of Edo culture and see how it permeates the language today. Plus, you’ll discover words for “purity,” “nationalism,” and “the best of technology,” also finding out how to say “He is a Parisian through and through.”
酔
drunk
JOK: 1457
Find out about drunken boxing and a coinage for "wasted on arrival in Japan." Discover how to get cats drunk and what to dilute drinks with to avoid hangovers. Learn to say, "After several drinks, the guy was feeling no pain," "The drunk staggered up to him," "He was put under anesthesia," "Don't you tend to get carsick?" and "You will be intoxicated by this elegant space."
遂
accomplish
JOK: 1458
Journey to the dark side with terms for attempted crimes, learning to say, “He is accused of attempted robbery.” Then move to the sunny side with positive keywords about achieving things. Sample sentences include, “Come what may, I am determined to accomplish it,” “I will do it at all costs,” “He is equal to the task,” and “He persisted in accomplishing his original plan.”
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