[Japanese] Let's Master 3rd Grade Kanji!
Hello everyone! Once you reach 3rd grade, the number of new Kanji you learn increases significantly, bringing the total to 200 characters. You might be thinking, "Whoa, that’s a lot!" but don't worry. The Kanji you'll learn in 3rd grade are all super useful and used frequently in our daily lives.
In this article, I'll explain easy and effective tips to help you learn Kanji in a fun way. Let's take it one step at a time together!
1. Focus on the "Shape" of Kanji: The Secret of Radicals
Kanji are made up of several parts combined together. Among these, the important part that indicates the group of meaning is called a radical (bushu). Once you know the radicals, even when you see a new Kanji for the first time, you can guess things like, "Oh, I bet this has something to do with water!"
Examples of Common Radicals
・Sanzui (氵): Used for Kanji related to water.
(Examples: 泳 [swim], 湖 [lake], 港 [port], 湯 [hot water], 深 [deep])
・Ninben (亻): Used for Kanji related to human actions or conditions.
(Examples: 仕 [serve/do], 使 [use], 代 [substitute], 信 [trust], 係 [person in charge])
・Kihen (木): Used for Kanji related to trees, plants, or things made of wood.
(Examples: 橋 [bridge], 柱 [pillar], 板 [board], 植 [plant])
Tip
When learning Kanji, try not to see them as just a collection of random lines, but as "combinations of parts." It makes them much easier to memorize!
[Summary] Kanji have meaning groups (radicals). Breaking them down into parts makes them easier to remember!
2. Learn to Use "Onyomi" and "Kunyomi"
In 3rd grade, you'll start seeing more than one way to read a single Kanji. The trick is to learn the basic Onyomi (Chinese-style reading) and Kunyomi (Japanese-style reading) as a set.
Tips for Distinguishing Them
・Kunyomi: A reading where the meaning is clear even when used as a single character. They often have Hiragana attached (okurigana).
(Example: 「空」→ sora [sky], 「重」→ omoi [heavy])
・Onyomi: A reading brought over from China, which is often hard to understand on its own. These are usually used when combined with other Kanji to form compound words.
(Example: 「空」→ kuu [as in kuuki, meaning air], 「重」→ juu [as in taijuu, meaning body weight])
Fun Fact: Watch out for characters with the same reading!
In 3rd grade, you will also see more "Homophones" (words that sound the same). For example, the word "atsui":
・A book is "厚い" (thick).
・The temperature is "暑い" (hot).
・The hot water is "熱い" (hot to the touch).
Since these have different meanings, try to visualize them as a set.
[Summary] There are two types of readings: "Kunyomi," which you understand with just one character, and "Onyomi," which is used in compound words!
3. Learn the Rules for Okurigana
A common mistake on 3rd-grade tests is getting the Okurigana (the Hiragana part attached to the Kanji) wrong. You need to learn correctly where the Kanji part ends and the Hiragana part begins.
Common Mistakes (Watch out!)
・It is "表す" (arawasu), not "表わす".
・It is "短い" (mijikai), not "短かい".
・It is "終わる" (owaru), not "終る".
Memory Trick: Try changing the word
For "終わる" (owaru), if you conjugate it like "終わります" (owarimasu) or "終わらない" (owaranai), the part that doesn't change is usually written in Kanji.
[Summary] For Okurigana, focus on the part of the word that doesn't change even when you conjugate it!
4. Watch Out for Similar-Looking Kanji!
There are some Kanji that look almost identical and are easy to confuse. Take a close look and find the differences.
Commonly Confused Pairs
① "待つ" (matsu - to wait) and "持つ" (motsu - to hold)
・"待" uses the gyouninben radical (suggests going on a road) → You "wait" for someone (on the road).
・"持" uses the tehen radical (suggests using a hand) → You "hold" luggage (with your hand).
② "横" (yoko - side) and "橋" (hashi - bridge)
・Both use the "kihen" (wood) radical, but the right sides are different. "横" contains the character for "yellow" (ki-iro).
Memory Hint (Mnemonics)
Connect the meaning of the radical to a story, like "You wait on a road (gyouninben)" or "You hold with your hand (tehen)." You won't forget them!
[Summary] When Kanji look similar, focus on the difference in the radicals and learn them along with a "reason" why!
5. 3 Steps to Mastering Kanji
It might feel difficult at first, but if you practice using these steps, you will definitely be able to write them.
Step 1: Trace with your finger (Finger Writing)
While checking the stroke order, try writing them in the air or on your desk in large motions.
Step 2: Say it aloud as you write
Saying "ichi, ni, san..." or "it's the 'ninben' radical plus 'nushi'!" while writing helps it stick in your brain.
Step 3: Make a short sentence
Instead of just writing the Kanji, try making your own sentence, like "I will observe the clouds from the roof of the school." It helps you learn how to actually use them.
[Summary] You can perfect it with these 3 steps: "Trace, Say aloud, Use in a sentence!"
Finally: Daily Practice Builds Confidence!
It's impossible to memorize 200 characters all at once, but how about 2 or 3 a day? Even if it's just 10 minutes a day, if you keep at it, before you know it, all those Kanji will be your friends.
If you make a mistake, look at it as a chance to discover, "Oh, so that's how I should write it next time!" Have fun, and make these 3rd-grade Kanji your own. I'm cheering for you!