Kanji

244 useful kanji words, by theme

Kanji are the third Japanese script: characters that carry a meaning, borrowed from Chinese. Here are the words taught in Katakana Rocks!, grouped by theme — the ones a beginner meets first, on signs, menus, tickets and in everyday conversation. Every kanji has its reading in hiragana above it (the furigana), and every word is given in romaji.

One reading per word, not per kanji. The reading shown is the one the kanji takes in this word: the same kanji often reads differently elsewhere. 日 reads “hi” on its own (sun, day), “nichi” at the start of 日曜日 (Sunday) and “bi” at its end, “ni” in 日本 (Japan). 水 reads “mizu” on its own (water) and “sui” in 水曜日 (Wednesday). So each word is learned with its reading.

Everyday phrases

Some everyday expressions are written in hiragana only, with no kanji: they read as they are written, so they need no furigana.

Numbers

Time and calendar

Directions

Colours

People and family

Body and health

Some everyday expressions are written in hiragana only, with no kanji: they read as they are written, so they need no furigana.

Food and drink

Around town

Getting around

Places to visit

Nature and weather

Natural hazards

At home

Describing things

Everyday verbs

Culture and leisure

Hiragana chart → Katakana chart → All 426 katakana words →

Read your first Japanese words in 10 minutes

Katakana Rocks! teaches you katakana, then hiragana and your first kanji, through the story of a rock band on tour in Japan: quizzes, a rhythm game and real street signs. The first 5 levels are free, right in your browser.

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