Learning kanji is one of the most exciting parts of studying Japanese. Each kanji has meaning, history, and different ways to read it. These readings fall into two categories: on’yomi (音読み) — the Chinese-derived reading, and kun’yomi (訓読み) — the native Japanese reading. Many kanji have both, and which one you use depends on the word.

This guide breaks down 20 essential kanji often used in basic Japanese phrases, with helpful memory tips and examples. Whether you’re taking an online Japanese course or studying solo, start with these characters to build a solid foundation.

1. 人 (Person)

• On’yomi: jin, nin

• Kun’yomi: hito

• Example: 一人 (hitori – one person), 人間 (ningen – human being)

• Tip: Looks like someone walking on two legs. Think of a person moving forward.

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2. 日 (Sun, Day)

• On’yomi: nichi, jitsu

• Kun’yomi: hi, ka

• Example: 日本 (Nihon – Japan), 三日 (mikka – third day)

• Tip: Looks like a window where the sun shines in. Remember: Japan is the “Land of the Rising Sun.”

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3. 月 (Moon, Month)

• On’yomi: getsu, gatsu

• Kun’yomi: tsuki

• Example: 月曜日 (getsuyoubi – Monday), 一月 (ichigatsu – January)

• Tip: Shaped like a crescent moon. Also used to represent months on the calendar.

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4. 木 (Tree)

• On’yomi: moku, boku

• Kun’yomi: ki

• Example: 木曜日 (mokuyoubi – Thursday), 木 (ki – tree)

• Tip: See the trunk, branches, and roots. Looks just like a tree!

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5. 山 (Mountain)

• On’yomi: san

• Kun’yomi: yama

• Example: 富士山 (Fujisan – Mt. Fuji), 山道 (yamamichi – mountain path)

• Tip: Looks like mountain peaks rising up.

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6. 川 (River)

• On’yomi: sen

• Kun’yomi: kawa

• Example: 川 (kawa – river), 川辺 (kawabe – riverside)

• Tip: Three flowing lines = flowing water.

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7. 水 (Water)

• On’yomi: sui

• Kun’yomi: mizu

• Example: 水曜日 (suiyoubi – Wednesday), 水 (mizu – water)

• Tip: Think of splashing water or streams flowing.

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8. 火 (Fire)

• On’yomi: ka

• Kun’yomi: hi

• Example: 火曜日 (kayoubi – Tuesday), 火事 (kaji – fire accident)

• Tip: Looks like flames dancing upward.

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9. 土 (Earth, Ground)

• On’yomi: do, to

• Kun’yomi: tsuchi

• Example: 土曜日 (doyoubi – Saturday), 土 (tsuchi – soil)

• Tip: Think of the earth beneath your feet—horizontal and grounded.

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10. 空 (Sky, Empty)

• On’yomi: kuu

• Kun’yomi: sora, kara, a(ku)

• Example: 空 (sora – sky), 空気 (kuuki – air)

• Tip: Picture the sky—wide and open.

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11. 手 (Hand)

• On’yomi: shu

• Kun’yomi: te

• Example: 手紙 (tegami – letter), 上手 (jouzu – skilled)

• Tip: Resembles fingers spread out from a palm.

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12. 口 (Mouth)

• On’yomi: kou, ku

• Kun’yomi: kuchi

• Example: 口 (kuchi – mouth), 入口 (iriguchi – entrance)

• Tip: A simple square that looks like an open mouth.

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13. 目 (Eye)

• On’yomi: moku, boku

• Kun’yomi: me, ma

• Example: 目 (me – eye), 目的 (mokuteki – purpose)

• Tip: Imagine an eye shape with eyelids.

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14. 耳 (Ear)

• On’yomi: ji

• Kun’yomi: mimi

• Example: 耳 (mimi – ear), 耳鼻科 (jibika – ENT doctor)

• Tip: Looks like a simplified ear. The extra strokes = sound waves!

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15. 女 (Woman)

• On’yomi: jo, nyo

• Kun’yomi: onna, me

• Example: 女 (onna – woman), 女子 (joshi – girl)

• Tip: Picture a person kneeling in traditional dress.

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16. 子 (Child)

• On’yomi: shi, su

• Kun’yomi: ko

• Example: 子ども (kodomo – child), 女子 (joshi – girl)

• Tip: Represents a child with arms outstretched.

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17. 上 (Up, Above)

• On’yomi: jou

• Kun’yomi: ue, a(geru), nobo(ru)

• Example: 上手 (jouzu – skillful), 上に行く (ue ni iku – go up)

• Tip: The line above shows something rising.

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18. 下 (Down, Below)

• On’yomi: ka, ge

• Kun’yomi: shita, kuda(ru), sa(geru)

• Example: 地下 (chika – underground), 下にある (shita ni aru – it’s below)

• Tip: A mark going under the base line—downward.

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19. 大 (Big)

• On’yomi: dai, tai

• Kun’yomi: oo(kii)

• Example: 大学 (daigaku – university), 大きい (ookii – big)

• Tip: A person stretching their arms wide to show something large.

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20. 小 (Small)

• On’yomi: shou

• Kun’yomi: chii(sai), ko, o

• Example: 小学生 (shougakusei – elementary school student), 小さい (chiisai – small)

• Tip: Three tiny strokes, like something small and delicate.

Understanding both the on’yomi and kun’yomi of kanji is key to using them correctly in context. A Japanese tutor online can guide you through real-life usage, grammar combinations, and how these kanji appear in daily communication. With practice and personal feedback, learning kanji becomes faster and more effective.