上

上	Meanings: top, above, on, to raise, to rise On Readings: ジョウ jou Kun Readings: うえ ue, あ（げる） a(geru), あ（がる） a(garu), の（ぼる） no(boru) Most Used Pronunciation: ue JLPT Level: 4 (see all JLPT 4 kanji) Grade: 1 Kanji Part: 一 Stroke Number: 3

Level 4 Completion 41 / 103

Common jukugo
上級 - じょう　きゅう jou kyuu - high level, advanced
上着 - うわぎ uwagi - jacket, coat
向上 - こう　じょう kou jou - advancement, progress, rise
参上 - さん　じょう san jou - going to see, calling on, paying one's respects
上司 - じょう　し jou shi - superior officer, superior

Useful Examples
Japanese: 机の上にのせてください。
Romaji: tsukue no ue ni nosete kudasai.
English: Please set this on the desk. ('this' is understood)

Japanese: 右手を上げてください。
Romaji: migi te o agete kudasai.
English: Please raise your right hand.

Japanese: この間、気づいたらサイドブレーキ上げっぱなしで運転してた。自分でも、よく車動いてたと思うけど。
Romaji: kono aida, kidu itara saidobure-ki ageppanashi de unten shiteta. jibun de mo, yoku kuruma ugoiteta to omou kedo.
English: The other day I noticed I was driving around with the parking brake on. It's a wonder the car could even move.

Japanese: 台風１１号は、毎時２０キロメートルの速さで北上中です。
Romaji: taifuu 11 gou wa, maiji 20 kirome-toru no hayasa de hokujouchuu desu.
English: Typhoon No.11 is moving up north at twenty kilometers per hour.

Japanese: バス代が上がった。
Romaji: basu dai ga agatta.
English: The bus fare was raised.

Japanese: 住民の半数以上はその計画に反対だ。
Romaji: juumin no hansuuijou wa sono keikaku ni hantai da.
English: More than half the residents are opposed to the plan.

Japanese: ご好意に対し厚くお礼を申し上げます。
Romaji: gokoui ni taishi atsuku orei o moushi agemasu.
English: I'm deeply grateful for your kindness.

Japanese: 昼食用にサンドイッチか何かを作って上げましょう。
Romaji: chuushoku you ni sandoicchi ka nani ka o tsukutte agemashou.
English: I'll fix a sandwich or something for your lunch.

Look alike kanji

Notes/Mnemonic
Don't be shocked at the number of pronunciations (actually there are more!), the best one to remember is ue. That is the most commonly used.

Many example sentences are from the Tanaka Corpus as modified for use with WWWJDIC.

下

下	Meanings: bottom, under, down On Readings: カ ka, ゲ ge Kun Readings: した shita Most Used Pronunciation: shita JLPT Level: 4 (see all JLPT 4 kanji) Grade: 1 Kanji Part: 一 Stroke Number: 3

Level 4 Completion 42 / 103

Common jukugo
地下鉄 - ち　か　てつ chi ka tetsu - subway
下手 - へた heta - not good at, unskilled, bat at
靴下 - くつ　した kutsu shita - Socks
誤投下 - ご　とう　か go tou ka - accidental bombing
下降 - か　こう ka kou - descent, fall, drop; subsidence

Useful Examples
Japanese: 車の下にワニがいる。
Romaji: kuruma no shita ni wani ga iru
English: Under the car, there is an aligator. (wani is also used for crocodiles)

Japanese: 右に曲がって下さい。
Romaji: migi ni magatte kudasai
English: Turn right.

Japanese: 千円を貸して下さい。
Romaji: sen en o kashite kudasai
English: Please loan me 1,000 yen. (about $10 US)

Japanese: 彼女は有罪の評決を下された。
Romaji: kanojo wa yuuzai no hyouketsu wo kudasareta.
Literal: her as-for guilt's verdict was given
English: She was given a verdict of guilty.

Japanese: エアコンを強くして下さい。
Romaji: eakon o tsuyoku shite kudasai.
English: Please turn up the air conditioner.

Japanese: 用紙の一番下に名前を書け。
Romaji: youshi no ichibanshita ni namae o kake.
English: Write your name at the bottom of the paper.

Japanese: どうぞバターを回して下さい。
Romaji: douzo bata- o mawashite kudasai.
English: Pass me the butter, will you please.

Japanese: 雨天の場合にはお電話下さい。
Romaji: uten no baai ni wa odenwa kudasai.
English: In case of rain telephone me.

Japanese: そのぬかるみの小道は谷へ下って行く。
Romaji: sono nukarumi no komichi wa tani e kudatte iku.
English: The muddy track descends to a valley.

Japanese: あなたがいつ空港に着くか教えて下さい。
Romaji: anata ga itsu kuukou ni tsuku ka oshiete kudasai.
English: Let me know when you will arrive at the airport.

Japanese: この番号に電話を下さい。
Romaji: kono bangou ni denwa o kudasai.
English: Please call me at this number.

Japanese: どうぞ固くなれないで下さい。
Romaji: douzo kataku narenai de kudasai.
English: Please don't stand on ceremony.

Japanese: ニックは地方出身者ならだれであろうと見下している。
Romaji: nikku wa chihoushusshinsha nara dare de arou to mi kudashite iru.
English: Nick looks down on any who comes from a rural area.

Look alike kanji

Notes/Mnemonic
This one also has several more readings, but shita is the most useful for now

Many example sentences are from the Tanaka Corpus as modified for use with WWWJDIC.

今

今	Meanings: now, present On Readings: コン kon, キン kin Kun Readings: いま ima Most Used Pronunciation: ima JLPT Level: 4 (see all JLPT 4 kanji) Grade: 2 Kanji Part: 人 Stroke Number: 4

Level 4 Completion 39 / 103

Common jukugo
今年 - こ　とし ko toshi - this year
今度 - こん　ど kon do - next time, soon
今日 - きょう kyou - today
今週 - こん　しゅう kon shuu - this week
今度 - こん　ど kon do -
今夜 - こん　や kon ya - this evening
今回 - こん　かい kon kai - this time, now

Useful Examples
Japanese: 母は今入院しています。
Romaji: haha wa ima nyuuin shite imasu.
English: My mother is in the hospital now.

Japanese: これは今売っている中で最高のアンプです。
Romaji: kore wa ima utte iru naka de saikou no anpu desu.
English: This is the best amplifier on the market.

Japanese: この講習会に参加をご希望のかたは、今すぐお電話ください。
Romaji: kono koushuukai ni sanka o gokibou no kata wa, ima sugu odenwa kudasai.
English: Please give us a call now if you want to participate in the workshop!

Japanese: 日本は今年、かつてないほど大量の車を生産した。
Romaji: nihon wa kotoshi, katsutenai hodo tairyou no kuruma o seisan shita.
English: Japan has produced more cars than ever this year.

Look alike kanji
会

Notes/Mnemonic
It looks like someone with a hat is eating with his mouth wide open now

Many example sentences are from the Tanaka Corpus as modified for use with WWWJDIC.

休

Meanings: rest, vacation On Readings: キュウ kyuu Kun Readings: やす（む） yasu(mu), やす（まる） yasu(maru), やす（める） yasu(meru) Most Used Pronunciation: yasu(mi) JLPT Level: 4 (see all JLPT 4 kanji) Grade: 1 Kanji Part: 人 Stroke Number: 6

Level 4 Completion 29 / 103

Common jukugo
夏休み - なつ　やすみ natsu yasumi - Summer vacation
昼休み - ひる　やすみ hiru yasumi - lunch break
休講 - きゅう　こう kyuu kou - cancelled lecture
春休 - はるやすみ haru yasumi - spring break, spring vacation

Useful Examples
Japanese: ちょっと休んだほうがいい。
Romaji: chotto yasunda hou ga ii.
Literal: It is better to rest a bit. [~da hou ga ii = it is better to...]
English: You should take a break.

Japanese: お休みなさい！
Romaji: oyasuminasai!
English: Good night!

Japanese: 午後から休む。
Romaji: go go kara yasumu.
English: I will rest this afternoon.

Japanese: 冬休みには何をしますか？
Romaji: fuyu yasumi ni wa nani o shimasu ka?
Literal: Winter - rest - (in, as for) - what - (d.o. marker) - do - (question)
English: What will you do during Winter vacation?

Japanese: 町の一流のレストランの多くは八月いっぱいは休業する。
Romaji: machi no ichiryuu no resutoran no ooku wa hachigatsu ippai wa kyuugyou suru.
English: Many of the city's leading restaurants close down for the whole of August.

Japanese: もうすぐ昼食時です、手を休めて軽く食べませんか。
Romaji: mou sugu chuushokudoki desu, te o yasumete karuku tabemasen ka.
English: It's nearly lunchtime. Why don't we stop to have a bite to eat?

Look alike kanji

Notes/Mnemonic
This is a picture of a person (left) resting against a tree

Many example sentences are from the Tanaka Corpus as modified for use with WWWJDIC.

何

何	Meanings: what, how many On Readings: カ Kun Readings: なん , なに Most Used Pronunciation: nani JLPT Level: 4 (see all JLPT 4 kanji) Grade: 2 Kanji Part: 人 Stroke Number: 7

Level 4 Completion 40 / 103

Common jukugo
何か - なに　か nani ka - something
何時 - なん　じ nan ji - what time
何才 - なん　さい nan sai - how old (of a person)
何歳 - なん　さい nan sai - what age, how old

Useful Examples
Japanese: 今何時ですか？
Romaji: ima nanji desu ka?
English: What time is it now?

Japanese: 今何時ですか？
Romaji: ima nan ji desu ka?
English: What time is it now?

Japanese: 電話番号は何ですか？
Romaji: denwa bangou wa nan desu ka?
English: What is your phone number?

Japanese: 冬休みには何をしますか？
Romaji: fuyu yasumi ni wa nani o shimasu ka?
Literal: Winter - rest - (in, as for) - what - (d.o. marker) - do - (question)
English: What will you do during Winter vacation?

Japanese: 果物の中で何が一番好きですか？
Romaji: kudamono no naka de nani ga ichiban suki desu ka?
Literal: fruits-(possessive)-among-at-what-(subject marker)-best-like-question
English: Among all fruit, what do you like the best?

Japanese: 彼は何でもお金に換算してしまう。
Romaji: Kare wa nandemo okane ni kansanshiteshimau.
Literal: He anything money as evaluates.
English: He thinks of everything in terms of money.

Japanese: 部屋の中の人々は何も言わなかった。
Romaji: heya no naka no hitobito wa nani mo iwanakatta.
English: People in the room didn't say anything.

Japanese: １９９０年の主な出来事は何でしたか。
Romaji: 1990 nen no omo na dekigoto wa nan deshita ka.
English: What were the chief events of 1990?

Japanese: この印は何をあらわしていますか。
Romaji: kono in wa nani o arawashite imasu ka.
English: What does this sign signify.

Japanese: 当局は自国の通貨を何とか安定させた。
Romaji: toukyoku wa jikoku no tsuuka o nantoka antei saseta.
English: The authorities managed to stabilize the currency.

Japanese: この野菜は英語で何と言いますか。
Romaji: kono yasai wa eigo de nan to iimasu ka.
English: What do you call this vegetable in English.

Japanese: 食堂は何時にあきますか。
Romaji: shokudou wa nanji ni akimasu ka.
English: What time does the dining room open?

Japanese: 荷物は何個ですか。
Romaji: nimotsu wa nanko desu ka.
English: How many bags did you have?

Japanese: 「何故行かないの」「行きたくないからさ」
Romaji: "naze ikanai no." "ikitakunai kara sa."
English: Why aren't you going? Because I don't want to.

Japanese: 昼食用にサンドイッチか何かを作って上げましょう。
Romaji: chuushoku you ni sandoicchi ka nani ka o tsukutte agemashou.
English: I'll fix a sandwich or something for your lunch.

Japanese: 学生たちは何時間もその計画について話し合った。
Romaji: gakuseitachi wa nanjikan mo sono keikaku ni tsuite hanashi atta.
English: The students discussed the plan for many hours.

Japanese: 週に何回そのサッカーチームは練習するんですか。
Romaji: shuu ni nankai sono sakka-chi-mu wa renshuu suru n desu ka.
English: How many times a week does the soccer team practice?

Look alike kanji

Notes/Mnemonic
This is a useful one

Many example sentences are from the Tanaka Corpus as modified for use with WWWJDIC.

先

先	Meanings: previous, ahead On Readings: セン sen Kun Readings: さき saki Most Used Pronunciation: saki JLPT Level: 4 (see all JLPT 4 kanji) Grade: 1 Kanji Part: 儿 Stroke Number: 6

Level 4 Completion 38 / 103

Common jukugo
先生 - せん　せい sen sei - teacher (lit. born before)
先日 - せん　じつ sen jitsu - the other day, some days ago, recent
先妻 - せん　さい sen sai - one's former (divorced) wife

Useful Examples
Japanese: お先にどうぞ
Romaji: osaki ni douzo.
English: Please go ahead of me.

Japanese: あの人が校長先生です。
Romaji: ano hito ga kou chou sensei desu.
English: That person is the principal.

Japanese: 彼には先妻の子供が３人ある。
Romaji: kare ni wa sensai no kodomo ga san nin aru.
Literal: him as-for former wife's children three are.
English: He has three children by his former wife.

Japanese: ぼくはジョーンズ先生に作文を直してもらった。
Romaji: boku wa jo-nzu sensei ni sakubun o nao shite moratta.
English: I had my composition corrected by Mr Jones. [M]

Japanese: その病院は先月開業した。
Romaji: sono byouin wa sengetsu kaigyou shita.
English: The hospital opened last month.

Japanese: 荷物は先に送っておきなさい。
Romaji: nimotsu wa saki ni okutte okinasai.
English: Send your baggage in advance.

Japanese: 去年ブラウン先生がこのクラスを受け持った。
Romaji: kyonen buraun sensei ga kono kurasu o ukemotta.
English: Mr Brown took charge of this class last year.

Japanese: この電車は中野より先は各駅に停車する。
Romaji: kono densha wa nakano yori saki wa kakueki ni teisha suru.
English: This train stops at every station from Nakano on.

Japanese: トムとナンシーは先月別れた。
Romaji: tomu to nanshi- wa sengetsu wakareta.
English: Tom and Nancy broke up last month.

Look alike kanji

Notes/Mnemonic
It has two legs so it always walks ahead

Many example sentences are from the Tanaka Corpus as modified for use with WWWJDIC.

前

前	Meanings: before, in front of, previous On Readings: ゼン Kun Readings: まえ Most Used Pronunciation: mae JLPT Level: 4 (see all JLPT 4 kanji) Grade: 2 Kanji Part: リ Stroke Number: 9

Level 4 Completion 33 / 103

Common jukugo
駅前 - えき　まえ eki mae - in front of the station
午前 - ご　ぜん go zen - morning (AM)
名前 - な　まえ na mae - name
二年前 - に　ねん　まえ ni nen mae - 2 years ago

Useful Examples
Japanese: 母の名前は明子です。
Romaji: haha no namae wa akiko desu.
English: My mother's name is Akiko.

Japanese: お名前は？
Romaji: onamae wa?
English: What is your name?

Japanese: 二週間前、どこに行きましたか？
Romaji: ni shuu kan mae, doko ni ikimashita ka?
English: Where did you go 2 weeks ago?

Japanese: あの男は自分の名前さえ書けない。
Romaji: ano otoko wa jibun no namae sae kakenai.
English: That man can not so much as write his name.

Japanese: 用紙の一番下に名前を書け。
Romaji: youshi no ichibanshita ni namae o kake.
English: Write your name at the bottom of the paper.

Japanese: 肉を食べる前に細かく切るべきです。
Romaji: niku o taberu mae ni komakaku kiru beki desu.
English: You should cut up your meat before you eat it.

Japanese: 名前と住所を言ってください。
Romaji: namae to juusho o itte kudasai.
English: Name and address, please.

Japanese: ヨーロッパへ発つ前に君に会いたいモノだ。
Romaji: yo-roppa e tatsu mae ni kimi ni aitai mono da.
English: I would like to see you before I leave for Europe.

Japanese: 地球はおよそ５０億年前に生まれた。
Romaji: chikyuu wa oyoso 50 okunen mae ni umareta.
English: The earth came into existence about five thousand million years ago.

Japanese: 最低１時間前にはカウンターへいらっしゃってください。
Romaji: saitei ichijikan mae ni wa kaunta- e irasshatte kudasai.
English: Please come to the counter at least an hour before your flight.

Japanese: そんなの朝飯前よ。
Romaji: sonna no asameshimae yo.
English: It's a piece of cake! [F]

Japanese: 海部氏は人前で演説することに慣れている。
Romaji: kaifushi wa hitomae de enzetsu suru koto ni narete iru.
English: Mr Kaifu is used to making speeches in public.

Japanese: 店はクリスマス前の土曜日なので混雑していた。
Romaji: mise wa kurisumasu mae no doyoubi na no de konzatsu shite ita.
English: The stores were alive with people the Saturday before Christmas.

Japanese: 母はこの前の日曜日にズボンを２本買ってくれました。
Romaji: haha wa kono mae no nichiyoubi ni zubon o ni hon katte kuremashita.
English: My mother bought me two pairs of pants last Sunday.

Japanese: 決心する前に長所短所についてよく考えなさい。
Romaji: kesshin suru mae ni chousho tansho ni tsuite yoku kangaenasai.
English: Reflect on advantages and disadvantages before you make up your mind.

Look alike kanji

Notes/Mnemonic
Remember: there is a month in there

Many example sentences are from the Tanaka Corpus as modified for use with WWWJDIC.

午

午	Meanings: noon On Readings: ゴ go Kun Readings: Most Used Pronunciation: go JLPT Level: 4 (see all JLPT 4 kanji) Grade: 2 Kanji Part: 十 Stroke Number: 4

Level 4 Completion 32 / 103

Common jukugo
午後 - ご　ご go go - afternoon (PM)
午前 - ご　ぜん go zen - morning (AM)
午後二時 - ご　ご　に　じ go go ni ji - 2 O'clock in the afternoon

Useful Examples
Japanese: 正午まで家にいなさい。
Romaji: shougo made ie ni inasai.
English: Stay at home till noon.

Japanese: きょうの午後医者へ行く予定にしている。
Romaji: kyou no gogo isha e iku yotei ni shite iru.
English: I'm going to go to the doctor this afternoon.

Japanese: 開演は午後７時である。
Romaji: kaien wa gogo nanaji de aru.
English: The curtain goes up at 7:00 p.m.

Look alike kanji
干

Notes/Mnemonic
Be careful to not confuse this one with 牛 ushi (cow)

Many example sentences are from the Tanaka Corpus as modified for use with WWWJDIC.

土

Meanings: ground, soil, earth On Readings: ド do, ト to Kun Readings: つち tsuchi JLPT Level: 4 (see all JLPT 4 kanji) Grade: 1 Kanji Part: 土 Stroke Number: 3

Level 4 Completion 27 / 103

Common jukugo
粘土 - ねん　ど nen do - clay
土地 - と　ち to chi - ground, soil, area
土曜日 - ど　よう　び do you bi - Saturday
お土産 - お　みやげ omiyage - a souvenir, present from a trip for someone

Useful Examples
Japanese: 今日は土曜日です。
Romaji: kyou wa doyoubi desu.
English: Today is Saturday.

Japanese: その土地が売りに出された。
Romaji: sono tochi ga uri ni dasareta.
English: The land came into the market.

Japanese: 店はクリスマス前の土曜日なので混雑していた。
Romaji: mise wa kurisumasu mae no doyoubi na no de konzatsu shite ita.
English: The stores were alive with people the Saturday before Christmas.

Look alike kanji
士 One kanji has a longer mid-bar and 'ground' has a longer bottom bar.

Notes/Mnemonic
It's a cross in the ground

Many example sentences are from the Tanaka Corpus as modified for use with WWWJDIC.

年

年	Meanings: year On Readings: ネン nen Kun Readings: とし toshi Most Used Pronunciation: nen JLPT Level: 4 (see all JLPT 4 kanji) Grade: 1 Kanji Part: 干 Stroke Number: 6

Level 4 Completion 31 / 103

Common jukugo
八年間 - はち　ねん　かん hachi nen kan - 8 years (in length)
二千年 - に　せん　ねん ni sen nen - the year 2000, 2nd millennium
去年 - きょ　ねん kyo nen - last year
今年 - こ　とし ko toshi - this year
来年 - らい　ねん rai nen - next year
二年前 - に　ねん　まえ ni nen mae - 2 years ago
一年中 - いち　ねん　じゅう ichi nen juu - all year round [CHUU becomes JUU]
半年 - はん　とし han toshi - half a year
少年 - しょう　ねん shou nen - boy
新年会 - しん　ねん　かい shin nen kai - New Year's party
昨年 - さく　ねん saku nen - last year

Useful Examples
Japanese: 四年生はまだ英語が分からない。
Romaji: yo nen sei wa mada eigo ga wakaranai.
English: 4th graders don't understand English yet. [mada=yet]

Japanese: 毎年日本に行きます。
Romaji: mai toshi nihon ni ikimasu
English: I go to Japan every year.

Japanese: 今年の目的はなんですか？
Romaji: kotoshi no mokuteki wa nan desu ka?
English: What is your goal for this year?

Japanese: 3年間日本に住みました。
Romaji: san nen kan nihon ni sumimashita.
Literal: 3-year-span-Japan-at-lived
English: I lived in Japan for 3 years.

Japanese: 給料は労働者の年齢との関連で異なってくる。
Romaji: Kyuuryou wa roudousha no nenrei tono kanren de kotonattekuru.
Literal: Wage worker's age in relation to change.
English: Wages change in relation to the worker's age.

Japanese: マイクは高校二年生でアンも同学年だ。
Romaji: maiku wa koukou ni nensei de an mo dougakunen da.
English: Mike is in the second year of high school and Ann is too.

Japanese: 来年、カナダに行きたいと思う。
Romaji: rainen, kanada ni ikitai to omou.
English: I hope to go to Canada next year.

Japanese: 何人かの少年が教室に入ってきた。
Romaji: nanninka no shounen ga kyoushitsu ni haitte kita.
English: Some boys came into the classroom.

Japanese: 去年ブラウン先生がこのクラスを受け持った。
Romaji: kyonen buraun sensei ga kono kurasu o ukemotta.
English: Mr Brown took charge of this class last year.

Japanese: １９９０年の主な出来事は何でしたか。
Romaji: 1990 nen no omo na dekigoto wa nan deshita ka.
English: What were the chief events of 1990?

Japanese: 地球はおよそ５０億年前に生まれた。
Romaji: chikyuu wa oyoso 50 okunen mae ni umareta.
English: The earth came into existence about five thousand million years ago.

Japanese: 今年の冬は気候がおだやかだ。
Romaji: kotoshi no fuyu wa kikou ga odayaka da.
English: We have a mild winter this year.

Japanese: この本は来年印刷されるでしょう。
Romaji: kono hon wa rainen insatsu sareru deshou.
English: This book will be printed next year.

Japanese: 日本は今年、かつてないほど大量の車を生産した。
Romaji: nihon wa kotoshi, katsutenai hodo tairyou no kuruma o seisan shita.
English: Japan has produced more cars than ever this year.

Look alike kanji

Notes/Mnemonic
Sorry, no Comments at this time.

Many example sentences are from the Tanaka Corpus as modified for use with WWWJDIC.

後

後	Meanings: after, behind On Readings: ゴ go, コウ kou Kun Readings: あと ato, うし（ろ） ushi(ro), おく（れる） oku(reru), のち nochi Most Used Pronunciation: go JLPT Level: 4 (see all JLPT 4 kanji) Grade: 2 Kanji Part: 彳 Stroke Number: 9

Level 4 Completion 34 / 103

Common jukugo
午後 - ご　ご go go - afternoon (PM)
午後二時 - ご　ご　に　じ go go ni ji - 2 O'clock in the afternoon
最後 - さい　ご sai go - the last, the end

Useful Examples
Japanese: 午後から休む。
Romaji: go go kara yasumu.
English: I will rest this afternoon.

Japanese: その後彼らは幸福に暮らした。
Romaji: sono ato karera wa kou fuku ni kurashita.
Literal: That after they happily lived
English: And they lived happily ever after.

Japanese: きょうの午後医者へ行く予定にしている。
Romaji: kyou no gogo isha e iku yotei ni shite iru.
English: I'm going to go to the doctor this afternoon.

Japanese: その問題は後回しにしよう。
Romaji: sono mondai wa ato mawashi ni shiyou.
English: Let's leave that matter for later.

Japanese: アンは放課後よくテニスをします。
Romaji: an wa houkago yoku tenisu o shimasu.
English: Ann often plays tennis after school.

Japanese: 開演は午後７時である。
Romaji: kaien wa gogo nanaji de aru.
English: The curtain goes up at 7:00 p.m.

Look alike kanji

Notes/Mnemonic
Sorry, no Comments at this time.

Many example sentences are from the Tanaka Corpus as modified for use with WWWJDIC.

日

Meanings: sun, day On Readings: ニチ nichi, ジツ jitsu Kun Readings: ひ hi, か ka Most Used Pronunciation: hi JLPT Level: 4 (see all JLPT 4 kanji) Grade: 1 Kanji Part: 日 Stroke Number: 4

Level 4 Completion 21 / 103

Common jukugo
日本 - にほん ni hon - Japan
六日 - むい　か mui ka - the 6th of the month [I hesitate to introduce this, but instead of counting ichi, ni, san... for the first 10 days of the month they use other pronunciations! But don't let this get to you. If you have to, you can just say, "roku nichi" (6 day) and will probably be understood]
父の日 - ちち　の　ひ chichi no hi - Father's Day
母の日 - はは　の　ひ haha no hi - Mother's Day
日本人 - に　ほん　じん ni hon jin - Japanese person
ある日 - ある　ひ aru hi - one day...
毎日 - まい　にち mai nichi - everyday
水曜日 - すい　よう　び sui you bi - Wednesday
木曜日 - もく　よう　び moku you bi - Thursday
金曜日 - きん　よう　び kin you bi - Friday
土曜日 - ど　よう　び do you bi - Saturday
日本 - に　ほん ni hon - Japan
日本語 - に　ほん　ご ni hon go - Japanese (language)
先日 - せん　じつ sen jitsu - the other day, some days ago, recent
今日 - きょう kyou - today
来日 - らい　にち rai nichi - coming to Japan; arrive in Japan
秋分の日 - しゅう　ぶん　の　ひ shuu bun no hi - autumn equinox holiday (in September)
朝日新聞 - あさ　ひ　しん　ぶん asa hi shin bun - Asahi Newspaper
日雇い - ひ　やと（い） hi yato(i) - day laborer
祭日 - さい　じつ sai jitsu - national holiday, festival day
在日 - ざい　にち zai nichi - (located, resident, staying) in Japan
昨日 - さく　じつ saku jitsu - yesterday
昨日 - き　のう　㈵ ki nou (special reading) - yesterday
一昨日 - いっさく　じつ issaku jitsu - the day before yesterday
日本史 - に　ほん　し ni hon shi - Japanese history
日の丸 - ひ　の　まる - The Japanese Flag

Useful Examples
Japanese: 何曜日ですか？
Romaji: nan youbi desu ka?
English: What day (of the week) is it?

Japanese: 来月日本に行きましょう！
Romaji: rai getsu nihon ni ikimashou!
English: Next month, let's go to Japan!

Japanese: 五月に日本に行く予定です。
Romaji: go gatsu ni nihon ni iku yotei desu.
English: I am planning to go to Japan in May.

Japanese: 毎年日本に行きます。
Romaji: mai toshi nihon ni ikimasu
English: I go to Japan every year.

Japanese: 今日は土曜日です。
Romaji: kyou wa doyoubi desu.
English: Today is Saturday.

Japanese: 3年間日本に住みました。
Romaji: san nen kan nihon ni sumimashita.
Literal: 3-year-span-Japan-at-lived
English: I lived in Japan for 3 years.

Japanese: 今日はいい天気です。
Romaji: kyou wa ii tenki desu.
English: It's nice weather today.

Japanese: 毎日テレビを見ています。
Romaji: mai nichi terebi o miteimasu.
English: I watch TV everyday.

Japanese: 今日はリンゴが安いので、２個買いましょう。
Romaji: kyou wa ringo ga yasui node, ni ko kaimashou.
Literal: today-(topic)-apple-(subject)-cheap-because-2 units-lets buy
English: Today, apples are inexpensive so let's buy 2.

Japanese: 今日は明るいです。
Romaji: kyou wa akarui desu.
English: Today is very bright.

Japanese: 秋に日本へ行きます。
Romaji: aki ni nihon e ikimasu.
English: In the Fall, I will go to Japan.

Japanese: 一歩一歩日本語を勉強してください。
Romaji: ippo ippo nihongo o benkyou shite kudasai.
English: Study Japanese a little by little.

Japanese: 月曜日以外、毎日勉強します。
Romaji: getsuyoubi igai, mainichi benkyou shimasu.
English: Except for Monday, I study everyday.

Japanese: 昨日千葉県に降雹があった。
Romaji: kinou Chiba ken ni kou hyou ga atta.
Literal: yesterday Chiba prefecture in hailstrorm was
English: Yesterday there was a hailstorm in Chiba Prefecture.

Japanese: ５日たてば仕事が完了するだろう。
Romaji: Itsuka tateba shigoto ga kanryou suru darou.
Literal: Five days if pass job complete do surely.
English: We should complete this job in five days.

Japanese: その習慣は日本独特のものだ。
Romaji: Sono shuukan wa nihon dokutoku no modo da.
Literal: That custom Japan unique thing is.
English: That custom is unique to Japan.

Japanese: １人は日本人で、もう１人はイタリア人です。
Romaji: hitori wa nihonjin de, mou hitori wa itariajin desu.
English: One is Japanese and the other is Italian.

Japanese: きれいな夕日だね。
Romaji: kirei na yuuhi da ne.
English: Lovely sunset.

Japanese: マイクと妹はフランス語を話せるが、日本語は話せません。
Romaji: maiku to imouto wa furansugo o hanaseru ga, nihongo wa hanasemasen.
English: Mike and his sister can speak French, but they can't speak Japanese.

Japanese: 今日は風があまりない。
Romaji: kyou wa kaze ga amarinai.
English: There isn't much wind today.

Japanese: 風の強い日です。
Romaji: kaze no tsuyoi hi desu.
English: It's a windy day.

Japanese: 春には日が長くなりだす。
Romaji: haru ni wa hi ga nagaku nari dasu.
English: In spring the days begin drawing out.

Japanese: １日中、ベットに横たわっていたら、うんざりした。
Romaji: ichinichijuu, betto ni yokotawatte itara, unzari shita.
English: I got tired of lying in bed all day.

Japanese: 生け花は日本の文化です。
Romaji: ikebana wa nihon no bunka desu.
English: Flower arrangement is a part of Japanese culture.

Japanese: 船は明日マニラに向けて出発する。
Romaji: fune wa ashita manira ni mukete shuppatsu suru.
English: The ship is about to sail for Manila tomorrow.

Japanese: こんなに暑い日に走るなんて、だれだってつらい。
Romaji: konna ni atsui hi ni hashiru nante, dare datte tsurai.
English: Anyone would find it hard to run on such a hot day.

Japanese: マイクは昨日練習に参加しなかった。
Romaji: maiku wa kinou renshuu ni sanka shinakatta.
English: Mike didn't join the practice yesterday.

Japanese: その機械は一日中作動しています。
Romaji: sono kikai wa ichinichijuu sadou shite imasu.
English: The machine operates all day long.

Japanese: 昨日、あなたからの手紙を受け取りました。
Romaji: kinou, anata kara no tegami o uketorimashita.
English: I received your letter yesterday.

Japanese: 中国の歴史は日本の歴史より古い。
Romaji: chuugoku no rekishi wa nihon no rekishi yori furui.
English: The history of China is older than that of Japan.

Japanese: あなたは永久に日本を去るのではないでしょうね。
Romaji: anata wa eikyuu ni nihon o saru no de wa nai deshou ne.
English: You are not leaving Japan for good, are you?

Japanese: これは日刊新聞です。
Romaji: kore wa nikkan shinbun desu.
English: This is a diary newspaper.

Japanese: 農場主は一日中畑を耕した。
Romaji: noujoushu wa ichinichijuu hatake o tagayashita.
English: The farmer plowed his field all day.

Japanese: 店はクリスマス前の土曜日なので混雑していた。
Romaji: mise wa kurisumasu mae no doyoubi na no de konzatsu shite ita.
English: The stores were alive with people the Saturday before Christmas.

Japanese: 母はこの前の日曜日にズボンを２本買ってくれました。
Romaji: haha wa kono mae no nichiyoubi ni zubon o ni hon katte kuremashita.
English: My mother bought me two pairs of pants last Sunday.

Japanese: 明治維新は現代日本の礎を築いた。
Romaji: meiji ishin wa gendai nihon no ishizue wo kizuita.
Literal: Meiji Restoration-modern-Japan-foundation-build
English: The Meiji Restoration built the foundations of modern Japan.

Look alike kanji
月

Notes/Mnemonic
Don't ask me why it isn't round!

Many example sentences are from the Tanaka Corpus as modified for use with WWWJDIC.

時

時	Meanings: time On Readings: ジ ji Kun Readings: とき toki Most Used Pronunciation: toki JLPT Level: 4 (see all JLPT 4 kanji) Grade: 2 Kanji Part: 日 Stroke Number: 10

Level 4 Completion 35 / 103

Common jukugo
午後二時 - ご　ご　に　じ go go ni ji - 2 O'clock in the afternoon
時代 - じ　だい ji dai - era, the times, generation
何時 - なん　じ nan ji - what time
明治時代 - めい　じ　じ　だい mei ji ji dai - Meji era
目覚まし時計 - め　ざまし　ど　けい - Alarm clock
時代錯誤 - じ　だい　さく　ご ji dai saku go - anachronism, being behind the times
時候 - じ　こう ji kou - season, time of the year
時刻 - じ　こく ji koku - time, hour
時間割 - じ　かん　わり - Timetable

Useful Examples
Japanese: 二時に食べましょう。
Romaji: ni ji ni tabemashou.
English: Let's eat at 2 O'clock.

Japanese: 朝の六時に起きました。
Romaji: asa no roku ji ni okimashita.
English: I woke up at 6 this morning.

Japanese: お金も時間もない。
Romaji: okane mo jikan mo nai.
English: I don't have money nor time.

Japanese: 今何時ですか？
Romaji: ima nanji desu ka?
English: What time is it now?

Japanese: 今何時ですか？
Romaji: ima nan ji desu ka?
English: What time is it now?

Japanese: その効果があわれるには、時間がかかります。
Romaji: sono kouka ga awareru ni wa, jikan ga kakarimasu.
Literal: those effects appearing at as-for, time requiring
English: It will be some time before those effects make theselves felt.

Japanese: 人間は時には考えられないほど残酷になる。
Romaji: ningen wa toki ni wa kangaerarenai hodo zankoku ni naru.
Literal: human as-for time at as-for unthinkable cruel become.
English: People are unthinkably cruel at times.

Japanese: １時間で帰ってきます。
Romaji: 1 jikan de kaette kimasu.
English: I will be back in an hour.

Japanese: ７時近くだ。
Romaji: 7 toki chikaku da.
English: It is close to seven o'clock.

Japanese: この時計は一万円だった。
Romaji: kono tokei wa ichiman'en datta.
English: This watch cost me ten thousand yen.

Japanese: ３時はお茶にしよう。
Romaji: sanji wa ocha ni shiyou.
English: Let's have tea at 3:00.

Japanese: 今夜七時に、電話するよ。
Romaji: konya nanaji ni, denwa suru yo.
English: I'll ring you up at seven this evening.

Japanese: １時間ジョギングしたら体が温かくなった。
Romaji: ichiji kan jogingu shitara karada ga atatakaku natta.
English: I got warm from jogging for an hour.

Japanese: 台風１１号は、毎時２０キロメートルの速さで北上中です。
Romaji: taifuu 11 gou wa, maiji 20 kirome-toru no hayasa de hokujouchuu desu.
English: Typhoon No.11 is moving up north at twenty kilometers per hour.

Japanese: 中世は人間が自由でない時代だった。
Romaji: chuusei wa ningen ga jiyuu de nai jidai datta.
English: The medieval times were an age when a human being wasn't free.

Japanese: もう薬を一服飲む時間ですよ。
Romaji: mou kusuri o ippuku nomu jikan desu yo.
English: It's time you had a dose of your medicine.

Japanese: この薬は３時間毎に飲んでください。
Romaji: kono kusuri wa sanjikangoto ni nonde kudasai.
English: This medicine should be taken every three hours.

Japanese: 集会は９時に散会した。
Romaji: shuukai wa kuji ni sankai shita.
English: The meeting broke up at nine o'clock.

Japanese: 最低１時間前にはカウンターへいらっしゃってください。
Romaji: saitei ichijikan mae ni wa kaunta- e irasshatte kudasai.
English: Please come to the counter at least an hour before your flight.

Japanese: 食堂は何時にあきますか。
Romaji: shokudou wa nanji ni akimasu ka.
English: What time does the dining room open?

Japanese: 当時、よい職を得ることは決して容易ではなかった。
Romaji: touji, yoi shoku o eru koto wa kesshite youi de wa nakatta.
English: In those days it was far from easy to come by a good job.

Japanese: 機械時代の苦しみは機械そのものに起因するのではない。
Romaji: kikai jidai no kurushimi wa kikai sono mono ni kiin suru no de wa nai.
English: The agonies of the machine age does not originate from the machines as such.

Japanese: 開演は午後７時である。
Romaji: kaien wa gogo nanaji de aru.
English: The curtain goes up at 7:00 p.m.

Japanese: 講義は時間通り始まった。
Romaji: kougi wa jikandoori hajimatta.
English: The lecture started on schedule.

Japanese: 学生たちは何時間もその計画について話し合った。
Romaji: gakuseitachi wa nanjikan mo sono keikaku ni tsuite hanashi atta.
English: The students discussed the plan for many hours.

Japanese: もうすぐ昼食時です、手を休めて軽く食べませんか。
Romaji: mou sugu chuushokudoki desu, te o yasumete karuku tabemasen ka.
English: It's nearly lunchtime. Why don't we stop to have a bite to eat?

Japanese: この事務所の通常営業時間は９時から５時までです。
Romaji: kono jimusho no tsuujoueigyou jikan wa kuji kara goji made desu.
English: The usual business hours in this office are from nine to five.

Look alike kanji

Notes/Mnemonic
The sun is very important in telling time: 日

Many example sentences are from the Tanaka Corpus as modified for use with WWWJDIC.

月

Meanings: moon, month On Readings: ゲツ getsu, ガツ gatsu Kun Readings: つき tsuki Most Used Pronunciation: getsu JLPT Level: 4 (see all JLPT 4 kanji) Grade: 1 Kanji Part: 月 Stroke Number: 4

Level 4 Completion 22 / 103

Common jukugo
三月 - さん　がつ san gatsu - March (3rd month)
四月 - し　がつ shi gatsu - April (4th Month)
五月 - ご　がつ go gatsu - May (5th Month)
五ヶ月 - ご　か　げつ go ka getsu - 5 months [note: So far we have seen that adding a number between 1-12 with 'gatsu' makes the month's names. But here is how to say a duration of months: # + ka + getsu - notice it is 'getsu' not 'gatsu']
二月 - に　がつ ni gatsu - February [the 2nd month]
六月 - ろく　がつ roku gatsu - June [the 6th month]
七月 - しち　がつ shichi gatsu - July (7th Month)
八月 - はち　がつ hachi gatsu - August (8th Month)
九月 - く　がつ ku gatsu - September (9th Month)
十二月 - じゅう　に　がつ juu ni gatsu - December (the 12th month)
来月 - らい　げつ rai getsu - next month
正月 - しょう　がつ shou gatsu - new year
九ヵ月 - きゅう　か　げつ kyuu ka getsu - 9 months (in length)
歳月 - さい　げつ sai getsu - time

Useful Examples
Japanese: 一月が一番すき。
Romaji: ichi gatsu ga ichi ban suki.
Literal: 1 month - (subject) - #1 - like
English: I like January the best.

Japanese: 来月日本に行きましょう！
Romaji: rai getsu nihon ni ikimashou!
English: Next month, let's go to Japan!

Japanese: 五月に日本に行く予定です。
Romaji: go gatsu ni nihon ni iku yotei desu.
English: I am planning to go to Japan in May.

Japanese: 今月は赤字です。
Romaji: kon getsu wa akaji desu.
English: This month we are in red. (losing money)

Japanese: その病院は先月開業した。
Romaji: sono byouin wa sengetsu kaigyou shita.
English: The hospital opened last month.

Japanese: 町の一流のレストランの多くは八月いっぱいは休業する。
Romaji: machi no ichiryuu no resutoran no ooku wa hachigatsu ippai wa kyuugyou suru.
English: Many of the city's leading restaurants close down for the whole of August.

Japanese: やがて月が見え始めた。
Romaji: yagate tsuki ga mie hajimeta.
English: Before long the moon began to appear.

Japanese: 今夜は月が空の低いところに出ている。
Romaji: konya wa tsuki ga sora no hikui tokoro ni dete iru.
English: The moon is low in the sky tonight.

Japanese: トムとナンシーは先月別れた。
Romaji: tomu to nanshi- wa sengetsu wakareta.
English: Tom and Nancy broke up last month.

Look alike kanji
日

Notes/Mnemonic
This is a sun (日) with legs -- the moon runs faster around the earth, therefore it needs legs

Many example sentences are from the Tanaka Corpus as modified for use with WWWJDIC.

木

Meanings: tree, wood On Readings: ボク boku, モク moku Kun Readings: き ki Most Used Pronunciation: ki JLPT Level: 4 (see all JLPT 4 kanji) Grade: 1 Kanji Part: 木 Stroke Number: 4

Level 4 Completion 25 / 103

Common jukugo
木登り - き　のぼり ki nobori - tree climbing
松の木 - まつ　の　き matsu no ki - Pine tree
木曜日 - もく　よう　び moku you bi - Thursday
材木 - ざい　もく zai moku - logs, timber, lumber
木魚 - もく　ぎょ moku gyo - wooden temple drum

Useful Examples
Japanese: その木はハナミズキです。
Romaji: sono ki wa hanamizuki desu.
English: That tree is a Dogwood.

Japanese: 風船が木に引っかかっている。
Romaji: fuusen ga ki ni hikkakatte iru.
English: The balloon was caught in the tree.

Japanese: ほら！あの木