What is Kanji?

Kanji is part of the Japanese written language. Unlike hiragana or katakana, which are phonetically based, kanji are ideograms; each one stands for a word or idea.

What is the difference between on and kun readings?

On readings are Sino-Japanese, borrowed from the Chinese when kanji was first introduced. They are mainly used in compounds. Kun readings are native Japanese words associated with the kanji. Kun readings are mainly used as stand-alone kanji or in verbs and other conjugated words.

How can I see Kanji on my computer?
I see only little boxes ⦴ or strange symbols that are not Kanji. What's wrong?

If you have a Microsoft computer with Windows XP or older operating system, you may need to download the GB18030 Support Package from Microsoft.com. Follow the instructions on the page.
On a modern computer, you should be able to read and write Kanji automatically.

Oh no, I see a mistake!
How can I tell you about it?

We try very hard to avoid mistakes, and we can correct them when we are wrong. You can contact me from our Contact Page. Thanks in advance!

Where can I learn more about Kanji?

See our Learn My Kanji Library for books, flash cards and helpful website links.