Top 10 Kanji Every Japanese Learner Must Know

 

🗣️ Introduction: Why Learn Kanji?

Kanji (漢字) are Chinese characters used in modern Japanese writing. While intimidating at first, learning basic kanji is crucial for reading signs, menus, labels, and even passing JLPT exams. Mastering just a few high-frequency kanji can dramatically boost your comprehension and confidence.

Here are the top 10 most useful kanji characters that every Japanese learner—especially beginners—should know.

1. 日 (にち / ひ) – Sun, Day

• Meaning: Sun, day, Japan
• Onyomi (Chinese reading): にち (nichi), じつ (jitsu)
• Kunyomi (Japanese reading): ひ (hi), び (bi)
• Example: 日本 (にほん / にっぽん) – Japan, 日曜日 (にちようび) – Sunday

2. 人 (ひと / じん / にん) – Person

• Meaning: Person, human
• Onyomi: じん (jin), にん (nin)
• Kunyomi: ひと (hito)
• Example: 日本人 (にほんじん) – Japanese person, 一人 (ひとり) – one person

3. 月 (つき / げつ / がつ) – Moon, Month

• Meaning: Moon, month
• Onyomi: げつ (getsu), がつ (gatsu)
• Kunyomi: つき (tsuki)
• Example: 月曜日 (げつようび) – Monday, 一月 (いちがつ) – January

4. 火 (ひ / か) – Fire

• Meaning: Fire
• Onyomi: か (ka)
• Kunyomi: ひ (hi)
• Example: 火曜日 (かようび) – Tuesday, 火山 (かざん) – volcano

5. 水 (みず / すい) – Water

• Meaning: Water
• Onyomi: すい (sui)
• Kunyomi: みず (mizu)
• Example: 水曜日 (すいようび) – Wednesday, 水道 (すいどう) – water supply

6. 木 (き / もく) – Tree, Wood

• Meaning: Tree, wood
• Onyomi: もく (moku)
• Kunyomi: き (ki)
• Example: 木曜日 (もくようび) – Thursday, 木 (き) – tree

7. 金 (かね / きん) – Gold, Money

• Meaning: Gold, money
• Onyomi: きん (kin)
• Kunyomi: かね (kane)
• Example: 金曜日 (きんようび) – Friday, お金 (おかね) – money

8. 土 (つち / ど) – Earth, Soil

• Meaning: Earth, soil
• Onyomi: ど (do)
• Kunyomi: つち (tsuchi)
• Example: 土曜日 (どようび) – Saturday, 土地 (とち) – land

9. 山 (やま / さん) – Mountain

• Meaning: Mountain
• Onyomi: さん (san)
• Kunyomi: やま (yama)
• Example: 富士山 (ふじさん) – Mt. Fuji, 山道 (やまみち) – mountain path

10. 川 (かわ / せん) – River

• Meaning: River
• Onyomi: せん (sen)
• Kunyomi: かわ (kawa)
• Example: 川 (かわ) – river, 小川 (おがわ) – stream

📘 Conclusion: Start Your Kanji Journey with These Basics

Learning these top 10 kanji every Japanese learner must know is a powerful first step in your language journey. These characters appear in everyday life—from calendars to conversations—and mastering them will give you a big confidence boost.

Practice them daily, write them by hand, and try spotting them in anime, signs, or textbooks. As they say in Japanese: 継続は力なり (Keizoku wa chikara nari) – “Continuity is strength!”