Random Kanji Knowledge time!

Today’s kanji is 死, which is ready as shi (sounds exactly like she).

死 means “death.” You can make it into a verb by turning it into 死ぬ (shinu) for “to die.”

A Japanese cultural note: 4 is an unlucky number in Japan. This is because “shi” is also the standard way of saying 4 when counting 1, 2, 3, 4 (ichi, ni, san, shi.) Therefore, it is common to hear “yon” (and other variations) in place of saying “shi” for 4.

The stroke order for 死 is shown below.

死 is a necessary, but often-feared part of life.

Random Kanji Knowledge time!

Today’s kanji is 可愛い, which is read as kawaii (ka-why-e).

可愛い means “cute/adorable.” If there is a Japanese word to pick up, it’s this one. It is used all the time. However, you shouldn’t get it confused with 怖い (kowai) for scary.

可 means “passable.”

愛 is the symbol for “love/affection/favorite.”

So of course, when you see something that melts your heart, you say KAWAII!

The stroke order for 可愛い is shown below.

As an interesting note, I would say that 可愛い is actually a “rare” kanji to come across in Japanese. It is common just to see kawaii written out in just hiragana (かわいい) because it is considered cuter to write in hiragana/katakana.

Nonetheless, here is a bunch of 可愛い things below for your enjoyment.

Random Kanji Knowledge time!

Today’s kanji is 誕生日, which is read as tanjoubi (tanh-joh-bee).

誕生日 means “birthday.”

誕 means “to be born.”

生 is the symbol for “life/birth.”

日 represents “day.”

So put all three symbols together, and you get the context of something like, “the day you were born into life?”

The stroke order for 誕生日 is shown below.

So in Japanese, to wish someone a “Happy Birthday,” you can say … おたんじょうびおめでとうございます! (Otanjoubi omedetou gozaimasu!)

Today is Mokey-chan’s birthday, so  おたんじょうびおめでとうございます to her!

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Random Kanji Knowledge: Kanji is a complicated means of conveying language. With literally thousands of symbols that have different readings depending on context, the layers of complexity can prove overwhelming. However, beyond the squiggly lines lies sophistication to those patient and diligent enough to learn. Kanji is really cool in this regard.
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Random Kanji Knowledge time!

Today’s kanji is 将来, which is read as shourai (show-rye).

将来 means “near future.”

将 can represent symbols for things like “general” and “leader,” but it also means “soon.”

来 is the kanji for things like “next” or “due …”

So in regards to 将来, it is often used to talk about things around the corner for you in life.

The stroke order for 将来 is shown below.

将来 is always important. What will you set up for your long-term future?

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Random Kanji Knowledge: Kanji is a complicated means of conveying language. With literally thousands of symbols that have different readings depending on context, the layers of complexity can prove overwhelming. However, beyond the squiggly lines lies sophistication to those patient and diligent enough to learn. Kanji is really cool in this regard.
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Random Kanji Knowledge time!

Today’s kanji is 時計, which is read as tokei (toh-kay).

時計 means “watch/clock/timepiece.”

時 means things like “time” or “hour.”

計 represents the symbol for “measuring.”

So put together, 時計 could be perceived as “measuring time.”

The stroke order for 時計 is shown below.

Always take note of your 時計. Time is precious. Don’t waste it.

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Random Kanji Knowledge: Kanji is a complicated means of conveying language. With literally thousands of symbols that have different readings depending on context, the layers of complexity can prove overwhelming. However, beyond the squiggly lines lies sophistication to those patient and diligent enough to learn. Kanji is really cool in this regard.
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Random Kanji Knowledge time!

Today’s kanji is 融合, which is read as yuugou (YUU-goh).

融合 is often used in the context of “fusion,” as in a literal unity between multiple things.

融 is a symbol for “dissolving” or “melting.”

合 represents something “fitting in” or “joining (together).”

So in a sense, 融合 represents how things can “combine” and fit together as one.

The stroke order for 融合 is shown below.

Individually, something can be strong on its own.

However, how much more powerful can it be when a 融合 is performed?

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Random Kanji Knowledge: Kanji is a complicated means of conveying language. With literally thousands of symbols that have different readings depending on context, the layers of complexity can prove overwhelming. However, beyond the squiggly lines lies sophistication to those patient and diligent enough to learn. Kanji is really cool in this regard.
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Random Kanji Knowledge time!

Today’s kanji is 試合, which is read as shiai (shi-eye).

試合 refers to a “match/game,” such as a sporting event.

証 is the symbol for things like “test” or “try.”

合  is the kanji to “fit/join.”

In other words, you can think of 試合 as an “encounter to test,” or at least the means of seeing who is better competitively. In a sense.

The stroke order for 試合 is shown below.

Strive to do your best in a 試合.

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Random Kanji Knowledge: Kanji is a complicated means of conveying language. With literally thousands of symbols that have different readings depending on context, the layers of complexity can prove overwhelming. However, beyond the squiggly lines lies sophistication to those patient and diligent enough to learn. Kanji is really cool in this regard.
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Random Kanji Knowledge time!

Today’s kanji is 恋人, which is read as koibito (ko-ee-bee-toe).

恋 is the symbol for “love/romance.”

人 means “person.”

Put two and two together, and 恋人 turns into “lover/sweetheart.” 恋人 is often used in reference to one’s boyfriend/girlfriend/significant other.

The stroke order for 恋人 is shown below.

With today being the day after Valentine’s Day, do you have a special 恋人 in your life? <3

Random Kanji Knowledge time!

Today’s kanji is 絆, which is read as kizuna (key-zoo-na). 絆 means “bonds” (as in bonds that are emotional, relationship-driven and otherwise.)

絆 is a word you hear the Japanese say a lot. It’s important to talk about the “bonds” you have with others and what it means to you.

The stroke order for 絆 is shown below.

With whom do you have a strong 絆 with?

Random Kanji Knowledge time!

Today’s kanji is 卵, which is read as tamago (tah-mah-go). 卵 means “egg.” With Easter tomorrow and all, eggs are very iconic for the holiday.

The stroke order for 卵 is shown below.

A 卵 for Easter … EGGxactly.

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Random Kanji Knowledge: Kanji is a complicated means of conveying language. With literally thousands of symbols that have different readings depending on context, the layers of complexity can prove overwhelming. However, beyond the squiggly lines lies sophistication to those patient and diligent enough to learn. Kanji is really cool in this regard.
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Today’s kanji is 虎, which is pronounced tora (toe-rah.) It is the kanji for tiger, as in the largest cat in the world. 

The stroke order.

Tigers are pretty cool cats (but not as cool as cougars in my book.) Considered powerful, beautiful and a whole lot more, what isn’t there to love when it comes to tigers? 

These cats totally earn their stripes and them some.

RAWR!!! :)

“Get good. Be better.” – Nhan Fiction

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Everyday NhanSense: Each day, I will blog about something that comes to mind. My goal is to practice writing about my hobbies, my interests, my opinions and so forth.

Day 23’s Topic: Good luck charms.
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I still have it.

The 功 necklace I bought at the anime store from the mall is still being carried with me each day. I freak out if I misplace it, even for a moment. I still don’t like wearing jewelry of any kind (I don’t even like the sensation of a watch around my wrist), so I just have this thing chilling in my pocket.

And sometimes, I’ll admit I like to take it out and twirl it around when I’m thinking. It’s only natural, right?

This necklace isn’t worth much by all means, but the 功 itself is still important to me. It acts as a constant reminder of how I can get myself out of any predicament.

功, again, means “success.” Its symbol components consist of “work” and “strength.” You need to work toward success and have the necessary strength to endure and make it happen. Isn’t this what life is all about?

功 is such a powerful and meaningful symbol. It just inspires you, doesn’t it?

Perhaps this is just the superstitious side of my personality talking, but I do believe in things like the notion of luck, both the good and bad variety. There are cases where I wonder if I have somehow upset the balance of the universe to warrant some of the tougher trials I have had to gone through in these past two months.

But I digress. Luck or no luck, I just have to think about what the 功 symbol entails when it comes to adversity and apply it to something positive to move forward. I am not a stranger to hard work, as I have previously pushed myself to the point of exhaustion multiple times. When you tread along that breaking point like I have before, you begin to understand how much punishment you can put yourself through until you need to ease up a bit from life.

In regards to strength, I am certainly a lot tougher than before. By all means, I was a weakling a few years ago. I buckled tremendously under all the pressure and just let things dig their claws into me when I needed to stand firm.

At the moment, I have a ways to go before I can say I am confidently ready for the next big step, but I am both content and certain I can seize some sort of success in the near future. When push has come to shove me down recently, you can bet I took a glance at my 功 necklace so I can always remember where my priorities should lie – in not calling it quits, no matter how challenging it gets.

And believe me … things have taken a turn for the worse in plenty of regards, but what’s a little 功 without some effort on the side? Oh yeah, that’s right. Nothing. Just absolutely nothing. No one is ever handed success, after all. Success is always a result of some kind action or series of events.

I wish you all the best in your own pursuits of 功, in whatever that may be.

Do you have your own good luck charm that you carry with you on a daily basis?

“Get good. Be better.” – Nhan Fiction