Translation guide
The term 'kanji' refers to Chinese characters used in Japanese writing. This guide explains how to talk about kanji in Japanese, including how to refer to the characters themselves, their readings, and related concepts.
Talking about kanji as a writing system or individual characters
The standard word for 'kanji'. Use this in almost all contexts.
How do you read this kanji?
Memorizing kanji is tough.
Distinguishing kanji from hiragana, katakana, etc.
Used in contrast with ひらがな or カタカナ.
Which is harder, kanji or hiragana?
Discussing on'yomi and kun'yomi
Talking about knowing or not knowing kanji
Referring to words made of multiple kanji
A compound word made of two or more kanji.
Please tell me the meaning of this kanji compound.
In English, 'kanji' is a loanword. In Japanese, it's 漢字 (かんじ). When speaking Japanese, always use 漢字, not the English pronunciation.
訓読みで「やま」と読みます。
It's read as 'yama' in kun'yomi.