The following charts contain simple kanji — the numbers one through ten, characters used when writing the date, and other simple characters used in people and place names. To the right of the characters are the pronunciations and the meanings in English.

Kanji characters used for dates			Kanji characters used for names for people and places
	ichi, hito(tsu)	one		san, yama	mountain
	ni, futa(tsu)	two		hon, moto	book/origin
	san, mi(ttsu)	three		kô/ku, kuchi	mouth
	yon/shi, yo(ttsu)	four		jun, —	purity
	go, itsu(tsu)	five		ko, shi/su	child
	roku, mu(ttsu)	six		chû, naka	middle/inside
	shichi, nana(tsu)	seven		tô, higashi	east
	hachi, yat(tsu)	eight		sei/sai, nishi	west
	kyû/ku, kokono(tsu)	nine		kyô/kei, —	capital
	jû, tô	ten
	getsu/gatsu, tsuki	month/moon
	nichi/jitsu, hi	day/sun

Classroom Exercises

Using the above charts, try writing the following:

1. The number 20 is written (two/ten). The number 14 is written (ten/four). Try writing your age.
2. January is written (one/month), February (two/month) etc. The date May 16th is written (five/month—ten/six/day). Try writing these dates and then write your birthday.
3. The following surnames are common in Japan:
   • Yamaguchi (mountain/mouth)
   • Tanaka (rice field/middle)
   • Honda (origin/rice field)
4. Junko (purity/child) is a common name for a girl, and Junichi (purity/one) is a common name for a boy. The number "one" in a boy's name indicates that he is the first born son. Try to write these names.
5. The capital of Japan is Tôkyô (east/capital). Trying writing this.

| back to top |