This is the second article on how to learn kanji as efficiently as possible. This time, we’ll also use “imagination” by considering the situations and meanings where kanji is used, and think about related words to expand learning. As you learn more kanji you can recognize and use, your confidence and motivation for your work will grow.
(Previous article link here)
Contents:
④ When and where do you use it? Study by imagining
Studying by imagining the situations where kanji is used makes it easier to remember and helps you use it in real-life situations.
「食」 ～食べる、食べ物 → 食事／食堂／朝食／食欲／制限食
“食” → Eat, food → Meal, cafeteria, breakfast, appetite, restricted diet
・食堂で食事の介助をします。
- Assist with meals in the cafeteria.
・今日の朝食はパンとスープです。
- Today’s breakfast is bread and soup.
・鈴木さんは制限食を食べています。
- Mr. Suzuki is eating a restricted diet.
「洗」 ～洗う → 洗濯／洗面／洗剤
“洗” → Wash → Laundry, washbasin, detergent
・洗濯物をたたみます。
- Fold the laundry.
・洗面所で歯をみがきます。
- Brush teeth at the washbasin.
・洗濯機に洗剤を入れて洗います。
- Add detergent to the washing machine and wash.
⑤ Think about kanji by its radicals
You can remember related words by considering kanji radicals.
「さんずい」 → 水に関連する漢字 → 池・海・洗・波・涙など
“さんずい” → Water-related kanji → Pond, sea, wash, wave, tears
「やまいだれ」 → 病気に関連する漢字 → 病気・病院・頭痛・症状・大腸癌・治療・湿疹など
“やまいだれ” → Illness-related kanji → Illness, hospital, headache, symptoms, colorectal cancer, treatment, rash
「にくづき」 → からだに関連する漢字 → 腹・胸・腰・肺・胃・骨・脳・肌など
“にくづき” → Body-related kanji → Belly, chest, waist, lungs, stomach, bones, brain, skin
⑥ Expand your vocabulary using kanji
Expand your imagination to come up with related words. For example, what words come to mind from this kanji?
「急」：意味は？……急ぐ
“急”: Meaning? … Rush
→この字を使った言葉は？……急病、救急車
→ Words using this kanji? … Sudden illness, ambulance
→急病人、救急車はどこへ行く？……病院
→ Where do sudden illness and ambulances go? … Hospital
→病院にはだれがいる？……医師、看護師、病人、など
→ Who is at the hospital? … Doctor, nurse, patient, etc.
「病」：意味は？……からだが悪くなること
“病”: Meaning? … Illness
→この字を使った言葉は？……病気、病人
→ Words using this kanji? … Illness, patient
→病気の名前は？……（利用者さんを思い出して、考えてみる）
→ What are the names of illnesses? … (Think of clients and try to remember)
It’s also recommended to learn kanji in a quiz format with coworkers or facility users. Learning with others is more fun and effective than studying alone. Work together to think of ways to make it something you can continue every day.
*Recommended Text
『介護の言葉と漢字ハンドブック』 英語、インドネシア語、ベトナム語、スペイン語版
『Caregiver Words and Kanji Handbook』 Available in English, Indonesian, Vietnamese, and Spanish versions
By the International Exchange & Japanese Language Support Organization Y, ¥2,860 (tax included)
https://shop.jicwels.jp/view/item/000000000009?category_page_id=words_and_kanji
This book is aimed at foreign caregivers who have learned 300 basic kanji. It introduces kanji and vocabulary specific to caregiving and can be used as a dictionary. There are also workbooks and drills available.
* 300 basic kanji are required to pass JLPT N4 level.
(Supervised by) Eri Aoi
Instructor at the International Exchange & Japanese Support Y Association.
Since 2011, she has been involved in language support for foreign caregiving candidates coming to Japan under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). She is currently engaged in education for foreign caregiving workers who come to Japan through technical intern and specified skills programs.
Completed the 420-hour Japanese Language Teacher Training Course.
Passed the Japanese Language Teaching Competency Test.
Certified Social Worker.
