The Joy o' Kanji Essays
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抱
hug
JOK: 1794
Discover key differences between two verbs written as 抱く. Learn about grudges and sitting on eggs and what connects these things. Read about (not) hugging in Japan, an odd translation of a Beatles song title, bundling products, armfuls of things, caretaking, patience, ambition, and being saddled with work. See how one book title sounds dull in English but erotic in Japanese.
泡
bubble
JOK: 1795
Learn to talk about bubble baths, soapsuds, frothy waves, and whipped cream, as well as many types of alcohol, from bubbling champagne, foaming beer, and sparkling wine to happoshu, Hoppy mixed with shochu, and awamori. Find out what it means to "eat bubbles." Also discover ways of saying that efforts are in vain or that things (including companies) are as short-lived as bubbles.
倣
imitate
JOK: 1798
Although 倣 pops up in words for “copycat” and “counterfeit goods,” it’s not all bad. Imitation may lead to innovation. As one Japanese writer said, “Imitation is the mother of originality, its only real mother.” Our kanji also factors into terms for following in people’s footsteps. Back on the dark side, find out what the “Trump Cannon” is, and see why the Asahi Shimbun is hated!
峰
summit
JOK: 1799
Packed with fun quizzes and great photos, this short essay teaches you to talk about soaring peaks, successive peaks, and the tallest mountain in a range. You'll find out why people compare Mount Fuji to a lotus blossom. The essay also pays close attention to yomi issues, including an unusual pattern of phonetic changes and the oddity of an identical kun-yomi and on-yomi.
飽
grow weary
JOK: 1802
With 飽 you can complain that you’re tired of things, including “the monotony of daily life.” Of course, someone may reply, “I’m getting sick of hearing you complain,” again using 飽. It’s not all negative; this kanji enables you to say, “His unceasing efforts to achieve success have made him what he is today.” See why it takes courage to lose interest and why we crave change after 7 years.
忙
busy
JOK: 1806
Busyness is a key part of Japanese life. A wedding invitation may include an apology for having a ceremony at such a busy time. Learn to say that busyness is work-related. Find out how to read 忙しい with two yomi, each with different meanings. Discover terms for being busy versus simply looking busy. And enjoy sayings about finding odd moments of leisure when swamped.
妨
disturb
JOK: 1808
When things (illness, bad weather, or even self-sabotage) prevent us from meeting our aims, 妨 helps us express that! Learn to say, "The noise disturbed his sleep," "His arrogance stood in the way of success," "Heavy rain blocked their way," "The accident held up traffic," "Fog prevented planes from taking off," "He interrupted our conversation," and "This building obstructs the view."
房
room
JOK: 1809
Because 房 has many disparate definitions, one can't immediately see how they connect. The key is to think of the small spaces you get by dividing a big space several ways. The heart divides into 4 chambers. An orange splits into equal sections. A prison has many small cells. The 房 kanji covers all these meanings and more, including associations with wives and sex.
冒
to brave
JOK: 1812
Could you capture sharks or defuse bombs? You can at least talk about such risk taking after reading this essay. You’ll also learn to say, “They were ready to run the risk of being shot by the enemy,” “Nothing ventured, nothing gained,” and “She is a born adventurer.” Even if you’re risk-averse, you can still use 冒 to say, “Don’t push your luck” and ”I don’t want to run such a risk."
剖
divide
JOK: 1813
This kanji has to do with dissections, autopsies, and the even gorier practice of vivisection (which the Japanese Army has performed in shocking ways). But 剖 also pops up in tame words, such as the one for “anatomy.” And more abstractly, because 剖 represents a drive to pick things apart until one has answers, people use it in reference to analyzing things such as films and books.
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