Learn Basic Kanji for beginner

Introduction to Kanji Numbers

Learning Kanji for numbers is one of the first steps in mastering Japanese. Number Kanji are fundamental, used in various aspects of daily life such as telling time, dates, prices, and counting objects.

Basic Kanji Numbers 1-10

Here are the Kanji characters for numbers one through ten, along with their pronunciations and meanings:

1. 一 (いち, ichi) - One
2. 二 (に, ni) - Two
3. 三 (さん, san) - Three
4. 四 (し, shi / よん, yon) - Four
5. 五 (ご, go) - Five
6. 六 (ろく, roku) - Six
7. 七 (しち, shichi / なな, nana) - Seven
8. 八 (はち, hachi) - Eight
9. 九 (きゅう, kyuu / く, ku) - Nine
10. 十 (じゅう, juu) - Ten

Combining Kanji for Larger Numbers

To form larger numbers, Kanji are combined in a logical way. Here are some examples:

1. 十一 (じゅういち, juuichi) - Eleven (10 + 1)
2. 十二 (じゅうに, juuni) - Twelve (10 + 2)
3. 二十 (にじゅう, nijuu) - Twenty (2 x 10)
4. 二十一 (にじゅういち, nijuichi) - Twenty-one (2 x 10 + 1)
5. 百 (ひゃく, hyaku) - One hundred
6. 千 (せん, sen) - One thousand
7. 一万 (いちまん, ichiman) - Ten thousand

Special Reading for Numbers

While learning Kanji numbers, it's important to note that some numbers have alternate readings in certain contexts:

• 四 (4) is often read as よん (yon) instead of し (shi) to avoid the negative connotation of death, which is also pronounced し (shi).
• 七 (7) can be read as なな (nana) instead of しち (shichi) for clarity.
• 九 (9) can be read as きゅう (kyuu) or く (ku), with きゅう (kyuu) being more common to avoid the negative connotation of suffering, which is pronounced く (ku).

Kanji Numbers in Everyday Use

Kanji numbers are used extensively in daily life. Here are a few common examples:

• Dates:

一月一日 (いちがつついたち, ichigatsu tsuitachi) - January 1st
十二月二十五日 (じゅうにがつにじゅうごにち, juunigatsu nijuugonichi) - December 25th

• Time:

一時 (いちじ, ichiji) - 1 o'clock
七時 (しちじ, shichiji) - 7 o'clock

• Prices:

百円 (ひゃくえん, hyaku en) - 100 yen
千円 (せんえん, sen en) - 1,000 yen

• Counting Objects:

一本 (いっぽん, ippon) - One (long cylindrical object)
二冊 (にさつ, nisatsu) - Two (books)

Examples of Basic Kanji

• 日 (にち, nichi) - Day/Sun
  • Example: 日本 (にほん, Nihon) - Japan
• 月 (つき, tsuki) - Moon/Month
  • Example: 月曜日 (げつようび, getsuyoubi) - Monday
• 木 (き, ki) - Tree/Wood
  • Example: 木曜日 (もくようび, mokuyoubi) - Thursday
• 水 (みず, mizu) - Water
  • Example: 水曜日 (すいようび, suiyoubi) - Wednesday
• 火 (ひ, hi) - Fire
  • Example: 火曜日 (かようび, kayoubi) - Tuesday

Practice and Resources

To effectively learn and remember Kanji numbers, consistent practice is essential. Here are some tips and resources:

1. Flashcards: Create flashcards for each Kanji number and practice regularly.
2. Apps: Use language learning apps like Anki, WaniKani, or Memrise that include Kanji practice.
3. Worksheets: Find or create worksheets that allow you to practice writing Kanji numbers.
4. Daily Use: Incorporate Kanji numbers into your daily life by reading Japanese dates, prices, and time.

Conclusion

Mastering Kanji numbers is a crucial step in learning Japanese, providing a foundation for understanding dates, prices, and many other everyday concepts. By learning the basic characters, practicing their combinations, and using them in context, you can build a strong grasp of Kanji numbers.

Happy studying! If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask.