Five ways kanji combine
Most compounds fit one of these.
Similar meanings
Opposites
Describer + noun
Verb + object
Subject + verb
Negative prefixes
Four kanji turn a word into its opposite or absence.
| Compound | Meaning | Prefix |
|---|---|---|
| fuben | inconvenient | 不 not |
| fuan | anxiety | 不 not |
| muryō | free of charge | 無 without |
| muri | impossible | 無 without |
| mirai | the future | 未 not yet |
| mitei | undecided | 未 not yet |
| hijō | emergency; extreme | 非 non- |
| hikōkai | not public | 非 non- |
Common suffixes
These make new words from existing compounds, a bit like English -ic, -ise or -er.
Sound changes when kanji join
Readings sometimes change at the join: a small っ appears (学 + 校 → がっこう), or the second word’s first sound is voiced (rendaku): 手 + 紙 → てがみ.
Three- and four-kanji words
Longer words are usually two compounds joined, or a compound plus a suffix.
Same sound, different kanji
Kango has many words with the same sound. Kanji, and context, tell them apart.
| Word | Meaning | Sound |
|---|---|---|
| kikai | opportunity | kikai |
| kikai | machine | kikai |
| shōkai | introduction | shōkai |
| shōkai | inquiry | shōkai |
| kōen | park | kōen |
| kōen | lecture | kōen |
Abbreviated compounds
Long names are shortened to two or four kanji, especially in news.
Check yourself
Read each word and guess its meaning, then open the answer.
- Read: 電車
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denshaelectric + vehicle = train - Read: 入口
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iriguchienter + mouth = entrance - Read: 無料
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muryōwithout + fee = free - Read: 学校
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gakkōsmall っ at the join - Read: 手紙
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tegamiかみ → がみ (rendaku)
Guess the meaning
Try each one from its parts before pressing to hear it and reading the answer.