Gengo Girls #118: Mix And Match

 

Gengo Girls #118: Mix And Match

Sometimes the meaning of a kanji is very closely tied to the parts that make it up. But sometimes it isn’t. So don’t be too surprised when you find a kanji with something like a “sun” radical in it but no actual solar meaning.

Transcript

言語ガールズ #118

Mix And Match

Blue: Most kanji are made up of multiple smaller pieces.

Blue: If you remember the pieces remembering the whole kanji is much easier.

Blue: For instance, the kanji for “forest” is just three “tree” kanji grouped together.

Blue: And the kanji for “sing” is made up of the kanji for “mouth” and “yawn”.

Blue: Easy to think of singing as people opening their mouths like a yawn.

Yellow: Isn’t that amazing? Now order your starter pack of kanji and start combining today!

Blue: Who exactly are you talking to?