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!
PLAY
Who said learning shouldn't be fun? There's plenty of scientific evidence to show that games speed up learning and improve retention. Have fun with a game to kickstart your studies!
Here we provide an overview of all the games and exercises on Kanshudo, and how to access them. Some can be played directly via the PLAY menu, and some are accessible as part of lessons etc. You can also just follow the study recommendations on your Dashboard, which will direct you to different games automatically.
Note: some of the games listed here (such as Kanji Challenge) also appear in the Study Index.
Multi-mode games
Kanji Challenge
Kanji Challenge is an extremely effective and focused way to study an individual kanji along with its most useful words and readings, through a series of focused exercises, including most of the other games listed here.
New Challenge   Status   History   Select study set   How-to guide
Kanshudo Boost
Kanshudo Boost generates a series of games and exercises to help you learn any set of material - flashcards, a collection, lesson content etc. Boost is one of the most fun and effective ways to study as it provides constant variety.
Currently in beta testing. Please contact support if you'd like to be part of the testing team.
Quick Study
Quick Study is like 'flashcards without consequences'! It's a great way to quickly identify words and kanji you don't know.
Quick Study
Kanji games
Kanji Match
Match kanji with their readings/meanings to quickly refresh your memory or identify weak spots!
Play now
Kanji Builder
Build kanji from their components. Kanji Builder is a fantastic way to cement a kanji in your mind visually, unlike any other approach to learning kanji. It's very challenging, but addictive!
Play now
Kanji Quiz
Practice our kanji quiz, then when you are ready, score your kanji ability with the full quiz.
Practice the quiz  Take the full quiz
Random Kanji
View a kanji selected randomly from the entire Kanshudo database!
Show me a random kanji
Kanji Draw
Kanji Draw is available as part of Beginner lessons, Intermediate lessons, the Textbook Companion, for any individual kanji (eg 本), and in the Drawing Center.
Currently in development. We are also intending to introduce a standalone drawing game - if you would like to see that happen, please let us know!
Word and vocabulary games
Word Match
Match up words with their readings/meanings, and study any you miss. Choose words with a usefulness level to match your current knowledge. A fun and effective way to increase your Japanese vocabulary!
Play now
Sentence Complete
Drag kanji onto the blanks to complete sentences. Choose sentences to suit your study level based on the usefulness level of the words they contain. A fantastic way to increase your Japanese vocabulary!
Play now
Sentence Builder
Build sentences by choosing words in the correct order. A great way to develop your knowledge of Japanese word order and grammar while simultaneously building vocabulary. Sentence Builder is available as part of the Beginner and Intermediate lessons, and as a standalone game accessible from the PLAY menu.
Play now
Word Quiz
Take our word quiz to build or test your vocabulary.
Take the word quiz
Kana Cross
Our most ambitious game yet, Kana Cross is the most addictive way we've found to test and expand your vocabulary.
Currently in beta testing. Please contact support if you'd like to be part of the testing team.
Term Find
Term Find is a quick thinking fun matching game, like a different take on Word Match. It is available as part of Challenges and as one of the games available for the Joy o' Kanji essays.
Answer Type
Answer Type tests your ability to recall the correct way to read kanji and spell out words. It is available as part of Challenges, and can also be applied as a mode for Flashcards.
Grammar games
Grammar Match
Identify the correct inflection for the supplied sentence. This game is a fun way to prepare for one of the most common question types in the JLPT.
Play now
Inflection Builder
A unique feature of Japanese is the ability to apply multiple grammatical constructions in sequence to the same word, which can be challenging to understand. This wonderful game makes it simple to practice combining inflections together!
Currently in beta testing. Please contact support if you'd like to be part of the testing team.
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