Kanji Builder 3D

Memory tips help you remember the shape of a kanji. They are not always the true history of the kanji.

• 休

  rest

  休 = 亻 (person, side form) + 木 (tree)

  • Kun-yomi やす(む) YASU(MU)
  • On-yomi きゅう キュウ KYUU

  Word: 休み やすみ YASUMI — a break; a day off

  Memory tip: A person (亻) leaning against a tree (木) to rest.

  This picture is also the most common explanation of where 休 comes from, but some scholars read the ancient forms differently.

  Watch the story of 休

• 明

  bright

  明 = 日 (sun; day) + 月 (moon; month)

  • Kun-yomi あか(るい) AKA(RUI)
  • On-yomi めい メイ MEI

  Word: 明るい あかるい AKARUI — bright

  Memory tip: The sun (日) and the moon (月) side by side: bright.

  This is the most common explanation, but there are other ideas. Some scholars say the left part was once a window, with moonlight shining in.

  Learn 日Learn 月

• 林

  woods; grove

  林 = 木 (tree) + 木 (tree)

  • Kun-yomi はやし HAYASHI
  • On-yomi りん リン RIN

  Word: 森林 しんりん SHINRIN — forest; woodland

  Memory tip: Two trees (木 + 木) side by side make a small woods.

  Here the memory tip and the usual explanation agree: 林 shows trees growing together.

  Learn 木

Parts

• 亻 person, side form にんべん NINBEN
• 人 person ひと HITO
• 木 tree き KI
• 日 sun; day ひ HI
• 月 moon; month つき TSUKI
• 口 mouth くち KUCHI
• 山 mountain やま YAMA