On the forums, people always seem to say, the best way to learn kanji is in context.
So how about we add some context?
By that, I mean, let’s create a visual dictionary. Each image should contain an example of the kanji/vocab in context. What do I mean by that? Well, there are a lot of kanji you’re bound to see in use in Japan. Buildings, roads, signs, posters, websites- they all frequently feature kanji.
Take 入り口 for example. You’re pretty likely to see it as 入口 or 出入口 in real life.
So an entry for 入り口 might look something like this
入り口
in context: 従業員出入口
English: Employee entrance (and exit)
Guidelines
- The photo should have an example of the vocab visible or strongly imply it
- Avoid copyrighted materials like manga or anime (free promotional materials are fine!)
- follow the general community guidelines
- if taking your own photos, please obey the rules of the place you are in (ie if they say “no photos” please don’t share your photos)
- please don’t take photos while driving. Either pull over or ask a passenger
- if there is a vocab item for the kanji, please go by the vocab item’s level rather than the kanji. Please only use the kanji level if there is no corresponding vocab.
35 Likes
Level 2 wiki
本
本
a bookstore (frequently just marked with
本)
円
五円
a five yen coin
刀
子供刀
children’s sword (aluminum blade and decorative for anyone concerned)
火山
火山
Volcano diagram
玉ねぎ
context: onion
上る
context: guide on how to better breathe when climbing stairs
上り始める前に息を吸う
Before starting to climb (the stairs), inhale (a breath).
10 Likes
Level 3 wiki
ビー玉
Context：ビー玉の書き方
How to draw marbles
6 Likes
Level 4 wiki
花見 ~ Viewing Cherry Blossoms
“お花見は自粛をお願いします。”
“Please, practice self-restraint during flower viewing” (sign about social distancing)
切手
It says something long on the right-hand side, but the first word is definitely
切手 
please don’t replace this, but feel free to add additional pictures…
竹の子
context: bamboo shoots
6 Likes
Level 5 wiki
仕草 ~ Action (which is the worst definition in all WK. In practice it’s often like a little gesture or pose often done without thinking)
男の仕草で10題 10 men’s gesture. From here, found by typing かっこい仕草 on google.
6 Likes
Level 6 wiki
本州
Context: a card based territory expansion game set in feudal japan.
3 Likes
Level 7 wiki
金魚
Context: 金魚すくい
Goldfish fishing
(I recommend checking this one out yourself. Usually it’s a carnival/festival game where you scoop goldfish using a small, flat paper net)
4 Likes
Level 8 wiki
北海道
Context: a card based territory expansion game set in feudal Japan, building on Honshu (Lvl 6.)
4 Likes
Level 9 wiki
～県
Context: map of Japan by prefecture
Side note: only 4 prefectures don’t use ken. Can you spot all of them? Answers:
北海道、東京、京都、大阪
4 Likes
Level 10 wiki
自転車
context:
二人で
乗れる！
折りたためるタンデム
自転車
((orange circle))
約半分のサイズに！
English: Can be ridden by two people! FOLDING tandem bicycle
((orange circle))(Becomes) about half the size!
2 Likes
Level 11 wiki
初級・中級・上級
Context: beginner, intermediate, and advanced modular origami
2 Likes
Level 12 wiki
祭り
夏祭り
用品レンタル
Summer festival goods rental
音楽祭り
Music festival
*note for 祭, you often see it written as 祭り although WK teaches it without the kana combination
1 Like
Level 14 wiki
登る
context: book about mountain climbing
親切マップで
登る3時間
登山
Easy to understand maps for (mountain) climbing
3 hour mountain climbing (routes)
1 Like
Level 16 wiki
折り紙
Context：
折り
紙金魚すくいの「ぽい」
Origami goldfish scooping scoop
video link
2 Likes
