Memrise

1. Before You Begin
Introduction to Japanese kanji
How to use this course

2. Introduction to kanji
Written Japanese uses kanji characters, originally borrowed
from Chinese, together with the native Japanese scripts
hiragana and katakana.
Kanji differ from alphabets:
One kanji may have more than one pronunciation, depending
on context
楽 raku “ease” 音楽 ongaku “music”
楽しい tanoshii “fun”
Kanji have core meanings
楽 → pleasure, enjoyment

3. Introduction to kanji
If you recognize the letters of an alphabet, you can guess
how a word is pronounced, but you may not know the
meaning.
If you recognize kanji, you can guess what a word means,
but you may not know the pronunciation.
Kanji function in Japanese much like Greek and Latin words
in English.
unicycle = uni “one” + cycle “wheel”
一輪車 = 一 “one” + 輪 “wheel” + 車 “vehicle”
Recognizing kanji makes it easier to read native Japanese. It
can also help you to learn and remember new words.

4. How to use this course
 Modern Japanese uses more than 2000 kanji, but most of these
kanji are built from a smaller set of simple parts or elements. If you
remember the parts used, you can also remember even
complicated kanji. We will first learn how to write these kanji
elements, and then some of the kanji that use them.
 We will give you an English keyword (a basic meaning) for each
element and kanji. (See the sample on the next slide.)
 Complex kanji have a “mem” (a mnemonic) using the element
keywords.
 You do not have to use the “official” mems. Add your own
pictures/hints/stories, or look at your classmates’ mems and choose
your favorite.
 Use whichever language you prefer.

5. keyword element + another element
 This is a sample “mem.” It includes the
keyword that we will use for the kanji, as
well as the keywords for each element
used in the kanji.
 Practice writing the kanji, following the correct
stroke order.

6. How to use this course
 Your goal: remember the kanji and its keyword.
 When a new kanji or kanji element is introduced,
check the keyword
read the mem, focusing on the elements used
write the kanji, copying the stroke order
 If you forget a kanji during a quiz,
check the mem; if you do not find it helpful, choose or make a new one
practice writing the kanji again
 Do not worry about Japanese pronunciations if you do not know them. We will
practice kanji readings and vocabulary later in the course.
 This course uses James Heisig’s system for compositional kanji mnemonics. For more
information, please refer to his book Remembering the Kanji: A Complete Course on How
Not to Forget the Meaning and Writing of Japanese Characters (2011)