もん mon

kanji

聞

Meaning

Listen

Reading

kunyomiき

ki

onyomiぶん

bun

もん

mon

Parts

門Gate 耳Ear

Example Word

聞く: listen or ask. The Japanese verb '聞く (きく)' has two primary meanings: 'to ask' and 'to listen'. When used to mean 'to ask', it refers to inquiring or seeking information from someone. For example: I asked the teacher「先生に聞いた」(せんせいにきいた). When used to mean 'to listen', it refers to the act of hearing or paying attention to sounds or speech. For example: I listened to music「音楽を聞いた」(おんがくをきいた). The context usually clarifies which meaning is intended. Note that '聞く' is often used in polite requests, such as '聞いてください (きいてください)' (please listen/ask).

Radical

耳

Stroke Count

14

JLPT

N5

Grade

2

Frequency

68

Handwriting

kanji

文

Meaning

Sentence

Reading

kunyomiふみ

fumi

onyomiぶん

bun

もん

mon

Parts

乂Govern 亠Lid

Example Word

文化: culture. The Japanese noun '文化 (ぶんか)' means 'culture'. It refers to the customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or other social group. This term is often used in discussions about traditions, societal norms, and the arts. For example: Japanese culture is fascinating「日本の文化は魅力的です」(にほんのぶんかはみりょくてきです). We should respect other cultures「他の文化を尊重すべきです」(ほかのぶんかをそんちょうすべきです). The word can also be used in compound nouns, such as '文化交流 (ぶんかこうりゅう)' meaning 'cultural exchange'.

Radical

文

Stroke Count

4

JLPT

N4

Grade

1

Frequency

74

Handwriting

kanji

問

Meaning

Question, Problem

Reading

kunyomiと

to

onyomiもん

mon

Parts

口Mouth 門Gate

Example Word

問題: question or problem. The Japanese noun '問題 (もんだい)' can mean either 'problem' or 'question', depending on the context. As 'problem', it refers to an issue or difficulty that needs to be resolved. For example: there is a problem with the computer「コンピューターに問題がある」(コンピューターにもんだいがある). As 'question', it refers to a query or an item on a test. For example: I have a question「問題があります」(もんだいがあります). This word is commonly used in both academic and everyday situations, and its meaning is usually clear from the context.

Radical

口

Stroke Count

11

JLPT

N4

Grade

3

Frequency

167

Handwriting

kanji

門

Meaning

Gate

Reading

kunyomiかど

kado

onyomiもん

mon

Parts

丨Stick 亅Barb 日Day, Sun

Example Word

専門: specialty. The Japanese noun '専門 (せんもん)' means 'specialty' or 'field of expertise'. It refers to a specific area of knowledge, study, or professional focus. This word is often used in academic, professional, or technical contexts to describe someone's area of specialization. For example: His specialty is Japanese history「彼の専門は日本史です」(かれのせんもんはにほんしです). I want to study computer science as my specialty「私の専門としてコンピュータサイエンスを勉強したいです」(わたしのせんもんとしてコンピュータサイエンスをべんきょうしたいです). The word can also be used in compound nouns, such as '専門家 (せんもんか)' (specialist) or '専門学校 (せんもんがっこう)' (vocational school).

Radical

門

Stroke Count

8

JLPT

N2

Grade

2

Frequency

176

Handwriting

kanji