Translation guide
The term 'kanji' refers to Chinese characters used in Japanese writing. This guide explains how to talk about kanji in Japanese, including how to refer to the characters themselves, their readings, and related concepts.
Talking about kanji as a writing system or individual characters
The standard word for 'kanji'. Use this in almost all contexts.
この漢字は何と読みますか。
How do you read this kanji?
漢字を覚えるのは大変です。
Memorizing kanji is tough.
Distinguishing kanji from hiragana, katakana, etc.
Used in contrast with ひらがな or カタカナ.
漢字とひらがな、どちらが難しいですか。
Which is harder, kanji or hiragana?
Discussing on'yomi and kun'yomi
The Chinese-derived reading of a kanji.
この漢字の音読みは「カン」です。
The on'yomi of this kanji is 'kan'.
The native Japanese reading of a kanji.
Talking about knowing or not knowing kanji
To be able to read kanji.
私は漢字が少し読めます。
I can read a few kanji.
To be able to write kanji.
この漢字が書けますか。
Can you write this kanji?
To be bad at kanji (literally 'weak point').
漢字が苦手で、よく間違えます。
I'm bad at kanji and often make mistakes.
Referring to words made of multiple kanji
A compound word made of two or more kanji.
この熟語の意味を教えてください。
Please tell me the meaning of this kanji compound.
In English, 'kanji' is a loanword. In Japanese, it's 漢字 (かんじ). When speaking Japanese, always use 漢字, not the English pronunciation.
訓読みで「やま」と読みます。
It's read as 'yama' in kun'yomi.