Learn Japanese Kanji Readings and Meanings Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the sentence 「速い車が通り過ぎた。」, what is the correct reading and meaning of the kanji 速い?
- はやい (hayai), meaning 'early'
- おそい (osoi), meaning 'slow'
- はやい (hayai), meaning 'fast/quick' (Correct answer)
- つめたい (tsumetai), meaning 'cold'
Correct answer: はやい (hayai), meaning 'fast/quick'
The kanji 速い (hayai) means 'fast' or 'quick' in terms of speed. The context of the sentence, 「車が通り過ぎた」 (a car passed by), indicates speed. The other kanji, 早い, is also read as 'hayai' but means 'early' in relation to time.
Question 2: Which of the following is the most common On'yomi (Sino-Japanese reading) for the kanji 「生」?
- セイ、ショウ (Correct answer)
- い、う、なま
- カ、ケ
- ジン、ニン
Correct answer: セイ、ショウ
The kanji 「生」 has numerous readings. However, its most common On'yomi (readings derived from Chinese) are セイ (sei) and ショウ (shou). These are frequently used in compound words like 学生 (gakusei - student) and 一生 (isshou - whole life). The other options are Kun'yomi (native Japanese readings) or readings for different kanji.
Question 3: A friend is describing their meal. They say, 「この魚はとてもおいしいです。」 Which kanji correctly represents the word 「魚」?
- 鳥
- 魚 (Correct answer)
- 牛
- 肉
Correct answer: 魚
The sentence translates to 'This fish is very delicious.' The kanji for 'fish' is 魚 (sakana). 鳥 (tori) means 'bird', 牛 (ushi) means 'cow/beef', and 肉 (niku) means 'meat'.
Question 4: What is the meaning of the kanji compound 「火山」?
- River mountain
- Fire mountain (Volcano) (Correct answer)
- Big mountain
- Mountain fire
Correct answer: Fire mountain (Volcano)
The compound 「火山」 is formed by the kanji 火 (ka - fire) and 山 (zan - mountain). When combined, they mean 'volcano'. This is a common example of On'yomi readings being used in a two-kanji compound.
Question 5: Which of the following kanji means 'to listen' or 'to hear'?
- 見
- 話
- 書
- 聞 (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 聞
The kanji 聞 (kiku) means 'to listen' or 'to hear'. 見 (miru) means 'to see'. 話 (hanasu) means 'to speak'. 書 (kaku) means 'to write'.
Question 6: In the word 「大人」, what is the correct reading and meaning?
- だいじん (daijin), meaning 'minister'
- おおきいひと (ookii hito), meaning 'big person'
- おとな (otona), meaning 'adult' (Correct answer)
- たいじん (taijin), meaning 'giant'
Correct answer: おとな (otona), meaning 'adult'
The word 「大人」 is an example of an irregular reading. While composed of the kanji for 'big' (大) and 'person' (人), it is read as おとな (otona) and means 'adult'. Reading it as 'ookii hito' would literally mean 'big person' but is not the correct term for an adult.
Learn Japanese Kanji Readings and Meanings Questions and Answers
In the sentence 「速い車が通り過ぎた。」, what is the correct reading and meaning of the kanji 速い?