Kanji are Chinese-derived characters used in Japanese writing to represent meanings and word roots. Many characters have more than one reading, which depends on the word and context.
Japanese kanji in Japanese = 漢字 (kanji), pronounced approximately kan-ji.
How Do You Say Japanese kanji in Japanese?
漢字 (kanji) means the logographic characters used alongside hiragana and katakana. For how these scripts work together, see writing in Japanese. A single character can have an on-reading of Chinese origin and one or more native kun-readings.
Meaning: kanji; Chinese-derived Japanese characters
Learn kanji in vocabulary rather than memorizing isolated symbols alone. The Japanese weekday names provide a familiar set of characters to practice. For example, 山 means mountain and can be read yama in one word or san in some compounds.
Different Ways to Express Japanese kanji
Kanji represent meaning-bearing units, but their readings are not always predictable from the character alone.
1. On-yomi — Chinese-derived reading
音読み (on-yomi) — sound reading. This reading reflects historical Chinese pronunciations adapted to Japanese. It often appears in compounds such as 火山 (kazan, volcano).
2. Kun-yomi — native Japanese reading
訓読み (kun-yomi) — native reading. This reading connects the character to a native Japanese word. 山 is yama when used as a standalone word for mountain.
3. Okurigana — kana endings
送り仮名 (okurigana) — kana attached to kanji. Hiragana endings after kanji show inflection, as in 食べる (taberu, to eat).
4. Radicals — character components
部首 (bushu) — radical; character component. A radical is a component used to classify or look up a kanji. It can offer clues to meaning or sound, but it does not always provide a complete definition.
Japanese kanji in Japanese: Quick Comparison
Use this comparison to choose the form that best fits your sentence. Pay attention to whether you are counting, describing a quality, or referring to a particular situation.
| Japanese | Meaning | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 音読み (on-yomi) | sound reading | Many multi-kanji compounds |
| 訓読み (kun-yomi) | native reading | Standalone words and inflected forms |
| 送り仮名 (okurigana) | kana attached to kanji | Verbs and adjectives |
| 部首 (bushu) | radical; character component | Study and dictionaries |
How to Pronounce 漢字 (kanji)
The word kanji has two clear syllables, kan-ji. In Japanese, each mora has a steady rhythm; do not heavily stress one syllable as in English.
Example Sentences Using Japanese kanji
Read each example aloud and notice how the surrounding words give the phrase its exact meaning. The English translation is natural rather than a strict word-for-word rendering.
Meaning: I climb a mountain.
Use: 山 is read yama in this native word.
Meaning: I saw a volcano.
Use: 山 has the on-reading san in this compound.
Meaning: I study kanji every day.
Use: 漢字 names the writing system.
Frequently Asked Questions About Japanese kanji in Japanese
Tap a question below to see the answer.
What does kanji mean?
漢字 refers to Chinese-derived characters used in Japanese writing.
Why does one kanji have several readings?
Characters entered Japanese through different historical paths and are used in many words, so readings vary by vocabulary and context.
What is the difference between on-yomi and kun-yomi?
On-yomi is a Chinese-derived reading; kun-yomi is a native Japanese reading associated with the character’s meaning.
Should I memorize kanji readings individually?
It is usually more useful to learn readings through common words, since a character’s reading depends on the word.
What is okurigana?
It is hiragana written after a kanji to show endings or inflection, as in 食べる.
Summary: Japanese kanji in Japanese
Kanji are meaning-bearing characters used with the kana syllabaries. Learn common vocabulary to see whether a character takes an on-yomi or a kun-yomi, and use radicals and okurigana as additional clues.
