Kanji 1-5 Lesson PackFree Sample

By Jeremiah Bourquehttp://learnoutlive.com/shop/kanji-1-5-lesson-pack/

Size Matters

• There’s a reason I chose this shaded background to go with black text: it is extremely effective at displaying kanji (Chinese characters).

• In addition, each kanji that is formally introduced is shown in a large size, greatly assisting the learner. Larger size means ease of viewing minor details.

“On” and “Kun” Readings

• The “on” reading of a kanji is the phonetic (“sound”) reading(s) based on, if not 100% identical to, the original Chinese.

• The “kun” reading is the native Japanese reading(s) of a character. This reflects native Japanese words that were assigned kanji as the centuries passed.

人• On: ジン・ニン (jin/nin). Kun: ひと (hit

o). • “Hito” is a fundamental kanji meaning pers

on. We will see many compounds using this word throughout Japanese studies.

• 人々 (hitobito) means people. The 々 indicates a repeated kanji, and the 2nd version becomes “bito” as if it was in any other compound.

子• On: シ (shi). Kun: こ (ko). (These are not

the only readings but are the “base” ones.)• Meaning: Child. • I introduce this kanji at this stage so that yo

u can appreciate the many roles this character, and concept, play in Japanese.

• The “shi” reading is used for certain compounds when this character is the last character, and often “ko “when it is first.

男• On: ダン (dan). Kun: おとこ (otoko).• “Otoko” is a fundamental word meaning m

an, as in, an adult of the male gender. • 男の子 (otoko no ko): A boy. A male child.• 男の人 (otoko no hito): A man. A male per

son.• 男らしい (otokorashii): Masculine. This s

uffix, らしい , means “seems/ appears to be” but is tacked onto an existing word.

女• On: ジョ／ジョウ (jo/ jou). Kun: おんあ

(onna). This means woman. • 女の子 (onna no ko): A girl. A female chil

d. • 女の人 (onna no hito): A woman. A femal

e person. • 女らしい (onnarashii): Feminine. (This is

the same pattern as with 男 ( おとこ） .

犬• On: ケン (ken). Kun: いぬ (inu.)• This means, dog. • 子犬 (koinu): Child + dog = puppy.• 飼い犬 (kaiinu): Raise + dog = pet dog.• 負け犬 (makeinu): Lose + dog = loser or u

nderdog. Lit.: a beaten dog.

私• わたし (watashi)• Pretty neutral, plain formal 1st person (“I”)

pronoun.• It’s not that you can go wrong with this, but

don’t use it too much if you’re trying to impersonate a native speaker. Then again, are you really trying to?

俺• おれ (ore)• Another pronoun for “I”, used almost alway

s by males; sounds extremely tomboyish otherwise. A “macho” pronoun used either with one’s subordinates/ juniors, or where such bold self-expression isn’t threatening at all, like with friends.

僕• ぼく (boku)• Another informal “I” pronoun, but more on t

he passive side of the coin. Used for a softer tone, often by boys, or towards children, but used plenty by adult men outside of formal situations. When used by girls, it’s a softer tomboyish stance.

Curtain Call

• Thank you. I hope you enjoyed this lesson. • I can be contacted at: • jeremiahbourque@gmail.com• Skype: jeremiah.bourque• I can be followed at: • http://twitter.com/jbtutor• http://learnoutlive.com/blog

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