B1 · 중급 챕터 1

Mastering Kanji Foundations

5 총 규칙
54 예문
6

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Transform from a beginner to a confident reader by decoding the logic behind Japanese Kanji structures.

  • Expand your vocabulary by mastering 200 essential intermediate Kanji.
  • Distinguish between On-yomi and Kun-yomi readings for better word retention.
  • Analyze compound word structures and Okurigana to decode unknown vocabulary.
Unlock the code: Master Kanji, master the language.

배울 내용

Ready to level up your Japanese? You've crushed the basics, now it's time to truly *understand* the language. In this chapter, we're not just throwing 200 new kanji at you (from 100-300, by the way!); we're giving you the keys to unlock their secrets. You'll master the two crucial reading types: On-yomi, the Chinese-influenced sound that's your best friend for complex compound words, and Kun-yomi, the native Japanese heart that gives life to standalone verbs, adjectives, and nouns. Why does this matter? Because you'll stop memorizing blindly and start *decoding*. Imagine confidently reading a Japanese menu, scrolling through social media, or even skimming a news article – these kanji are your ticket to daily Japanese life. We'll show you the hidden logic in compound words, like Subject-Verb and Verb-Object structures, so you can often guess their meaning even if you've never seen them before. Plus, we'll conquer Okurigana, those essential 'kana tails' that make verbs and adjectives grammatically functional and instantly clear. By the end, you won't just know a bunch of kanji; you'll *feel* their interconnected logic, read with far greater fluency, and confidently navigate more complex Japanese.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    Identify the difference between On-yomi and Kun-yomi in compound words.
  2. 2
    Apply Okurigana rules to correctly conjugate verbs and adjectives.

챕터 가이드

Overview

Ready to truly unlock the power of Japanese? You've conquered the foundational 100 kanji, and now it's time to elevate your understanding to a B1 Japanese grammar level. This chapter isn't just about memorizing the next 200 intermediate kanji (taking you from 100 to 300 total); it's about gaining the strategic tools to decode the language like a native speaker.
We'll dive deep into the two crucial reading types: On-yomi, the Chinese-influenced sound that's your key to complex compound words, and Kun-yomi, the native Japanese heart that breathes life into standalone verbs, adjectives, and nouns. This distinction is fundamental to mastering Japanese grammar at this stage.
By understanding the logic behind these readings and the way kanji combine, you'll move beyond rote memorization. Imagine confidently reading a Japanese menu, understanding social media posts, or even skimming a news article – these kanji are your direct ticket to engaging with daily Japanese life. We'll reveal the hidden patterns in compound words, like Subject-Verb and Verb-Object structures, empowering you to often guess their meaning even if you've never seen them before.
Plus, we'll conquer Okurigana (送り仮名), those essential 'kana tails' that make verbs and adjectives grammatically functional and instantly clear. By the end, you won't just *know* a bunch of kanji; you'll *feel* their interconnected logic, read with far greater fluency, and confidently navigate more complex Japanese.

How This Grammar Works

This chapter focuses on mastering the next 200 kanji (bringing your total to 300) and, more importantly, understanding their fundamental readings and usage patterns. We'll specifically address Kanji Readings: On-yomi (The Chinese Sound) and Mastering Kun-yomi: The Native Japanese Readings of Kanji. On-yomi are typically used when kanji appear in compounds, often reflecting their original Chinese pronunciation.
For example, 学生 (gakusei) (student) uses the On-yomi for (gaku) and (sei). These readings are vital for understanding formal and technical vocabulary.
In contrast, Kun-yomi are native Japanese readings, usually found when a kanji stands alone as a noun, or is part of a verb or adjective stem, often accompanied by Okurigana. For instance, 食べる (taberu) (to eat) uses the Kun-yomi (ta) for , with べる (beru) as Okurigana. Similarly, 高い (takai) (expensive/tall) uses with (i) as Okurigana.
This distinction is crucial for correct pronunciation and meaning.
We'll also explore Kanji Compound Logic: Subject-Verb & Verb-Object. Many two-kanji compounds follow predictable patterns. A Subject-Verb compound like 着席 (chakuseki) (taking a seat) literally means arrive-seat. A Verb-Object compound like 読書 (dokusho) (reading books) means read-book. Understanding these patterns helps you deduce the meaning of unfamiliar compounds.
Finally, Japanese Okurigana Rules (送り仮名の付け方) are essential for conjugating verbs and adjectives correctly. The kana attached to a kanji root indicates its grammatical function, like 書く (kaku) (to write) versus 書いた (kaita) (wrote). Mastering these rules is key to fluent B1 Japanese communication.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1Wrong:
    今日の読書ます。
    (Kyou no hon wa dokushomasu.) (Today's book, I read-book.)
Correct:
今日の読みます。
(Kyou no hon wa yomimasu.) (Today's book, I will read.)
*Explanation:* 読書 (dokusho) is a noun meaning reading or a book reading, not a verb. To say to read, you need the verb 読む (yomu), which uses the Kun-yomi of and its Okurigana.
  1. 1Wrong:
    この学校いです。
    (Kono gakkou wa takadesu.) (This school is tall/expensive.)
Correct:
この学校高いです。
(Kono gakkou wa takai desu.) (This school is tall/expensive.)
*Explanation:* Adjectives in Japanese require Okurigana to function grammatically. is the kanji stem, but it needs the (i) ending (高い) to be a complete adjective. Omitting it makes the word incomplete and incorrect.
  1. 1Wrong:
    これはです。
    (Kore wa hon desu.) (This is book.) (Pronouncing as *moto*)
Correct:
これはです。
(Kore wa hon desu.) (This is a book.) (Pronouncing as *hon*)
*Explanation:* The kanji has both Kun-yomi (もと - moto, meaning origin) and On-yomi (ほん - hon, meaning book). In the context of book, the On-yomi ほん is correct. Choosing the wrong reading completely changes the meaning.

Real Conversations

A

A

こんにちは、今日学校で何を勉強しましたか? (Konnichiwa, kyou wa gakkou de nani o benkyou shimashita ka?) (Hello, what did you study at school today?)
B

B

こんにちは!英語数学勉強しました。特に数学難しいです。 (Konnichiwa! Eigo to suugaku o benkyou shimashita. Tokuni suugaku wa muzukashii desu.) (Hello! I studied English and math. Math, especially, is difficult.)
A

A

来週東京旅行に行く予定です。何かおすすめ場所はありますか? (Raishuu, Toukyou e ryokou ni iku yotei desu. Nani ka osusume no basho wa arimasu ka?) (Next week, I plan to travel to Tokyo. Do you have any recommended places?)
B

B

いいですね!浅草歴史的建物多くて、とても面白いですよ。 (Ii desu ne! Asakusa wa rekishiteki na tatemono ga ookute, totemo omoshiroi desu yo.) (That's good! Asakusa has many historical buildings and is very interesting.)

Quick FAQ

Q

How can I tell if a kanji is likely to use On-yomi or Kun-yomi?

Generally, single kanji used as a noun or with Okurigana (like 食べる or 高い) tend to use Kun-yomi. Kanji appearing in compounds of two or more characters (like 学校 or 読書) usually use On-yomi.

Q

Why is Okurigana so important for B1 Japanese grammar?

Okurigana is crucial because it indicates the grammatical function and conjugation of verbs and adjectives. Without it, you can't tell if a word is a verb stem, a past tense, a negative form, or even just a noun, leading to significant misunderstandings in Japanese grammar.

Q

Are all kanji compounds Subject-Verb or Verb-Object?

No, not all. While Subject-Verb and Verb-Object are common patterns, many compounds follow other logical structures, such as Modifier-Noun (日本語 - Japanese language) or Noun-Noun (電車 - train). However, recognizing the S-V and V-O patterns is a powerful tool for decoding many compounds.

Q

What's the best way to master the next 200 intermediate kanji?

Focus on learning kanji in context, not just in isolation. Pay attention to both their On-yomi and Kun-yomi readings, and try to identify the compound logic when you encounter new words. Using flashcards with example sentences and practicing reading actual Japanese texts will significantly help.

Cultural Context

Kanji are more than just characters; they are deeply woven into the fabric of Japanese culture and communication. Understanding On-yomi and Kun-yomi allows learners to appreciate the historical layers of the language, reflecting influences from China alongside native Japanese concepts. The nuanced use of kanji, especially in formal writing, official documents, and literature, conveys precision and conciseness that kana alone cannot.
Mastering these foundations at a B1 Japanese level empowers you to not just read words, but to grasp the underlying cultural and historical meanings embedded in the written language, enriching your overall learning experience.

주요 예문 (4)

1

最近、仕事がとても忙しいです。

최근에 일이 아주 바빠요.

중급 한자: 다음 200자 (100-300)
2

情報を確認してください。

정보를 확인해 주세요.

중급 한자: 다음 200자 (100-300)
3

お{弁当|べんとう}을 {食べる|た・べる}。

도시락을 먹어요.

일본어 오쿠리가나 규칙 (가나 접미사 활용)
4

이 {車|くるま}는 정말 {速|はや・い}네요!

이 차는 정말 빠르네요!

일본어 오쿠리가나 규칙 (가나 접미사 활용)

팁과 요령 (4)

🎯

레고 블록 같은 '부수'의 법칙

한자를 획 하나하나 외우지 말고 부수를 기억하세요. 부수 50개만 알면 수천 개의 한자 DNA를 읽을 수 있어요. «待つ»와 «持つ»의 차이처럼요.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 중급 한자: 다음 200자 (100-300)
🎯

모르는 단어 추측하기

아는 한자의 음독을 활용해 보세요. {大学}의 '가쿠'를 알면 "{学生|がくせい}도 '가쿠'로 읽겠구나!"라고 90%는 맞힐 수 있어요.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 한자 읽기: 음독 (중국식 소리)
🎯

오쿠리가나 힌트

한자 뒤에 히라가나 꼬리가 삐죽 나와 있다면? 그건 무조건 훈독이에요. «{書|か}く»처럼 동사 읽기에서 아주 유용한 팁이죠.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 훈독(Kun-yomi) 마스터하기: 한자의 일본식 고유 읽기
🎯

단어 뜻 추측하기

처음 보는 단어 {愛犬}을 보면 '사랑하는 개'인지 '개를 사랑함'인지 고민되죠? 보통 수식 관계가 많으니 '반려견'으로 추측해 보세요: «나의 愛犬(あいけん)과 산책해요.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 한자어 구조 논리: 주어-동사 및 동사-목적어

핵심 어휘 (5)

漢字(かんじ) Kanji 音読(おんよ)み On-yomi reading 訓読(くんよ)み Kun-yomi reading 送(おく)り仮名(かな) Okurigana 読書(どくしょ) Reading books

Real-World Preview

utensils

Navigating a Restaurant Menu

Review Summary

  • Kanji + Kanji
  • Kanji + Okurigana

자주 하는 실수

You missed the Okurigana 'be'. Always include the kana tail.

Wrong: 食る (taberu)
정답: 食べる (taberu)

Confusing On-yomi and Kun-yomi definitions.

Wrong: 日本(にほん)人(じん)の読(よ)み方(かた)を音読(おんよ)みと言(い)う。
정답: 日本(にほん)人(じん)の読(よ)み方(かた)を訓読(くんよ)みと言(い)う。

Missing the 'ki' Okurigana makes the adjective incomplete.

Wrong: 大(おお)きい (ookii) written as 大い
정답: 大(おお)きい

Next Steps

You've laid a solid foundation. Keep pushing forward—your Japanese journey is just beginning!

Read a Japanese news headline

빠른 연습 (10)

{最|さい}{近|きん}의 올바른 읽기를 고르세요.

Find and fix the mistake:

最近 (mottomochika) は忙しいです。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 最近 (saikin)
{最|さい}{近|기ん}은 이 문맥에서 'saikin(최근)'이라고 읽습니다.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 중급 한자: 다음 200자 (100-300)

빈칸에 알맞은 읽기 방식을 써넣으세요.

동사 "{食べる|?}"는 ___べる라고 읽습니다.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer:
히라가나 꼬리가 붙어 있는 동사는 거의 항상 훈독을 써요. '먹다'라는 뜻의 이 단어는 'た'라고 읽습니다.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 훈독(Kun-yomi) 마스터하기: 한자의 일본식 고유 읽기

'taberu'(먹다)의 오쿠리가나를 바르게 고쳐보세요.

Find and fix the mistake:

お菓子를 食る。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: お菓子를 食べる。
'taberu'는 줄기인 'be'와 어미 'ru'가 모두 오쿠리가나로 나와야 해서 {食べる|た・べる}가 맞습니다.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 일본어 오쿠리가나 규칙 (가나 접미사 활용)

이 문맥에서 한자를 읽는 올바른 훈독은 무엇일까요?

"{水|?}をください"에서 {水|?}의 읽는 법을 고르세요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: みず
물이라는 한자가 단독으로 쓰일 때는 일본 고유의 읽기 방식인 훈독 'みず'로 읽어야 자연스러워요.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 훈독(Kun-yomi) 마스터하기: 한자의 일본식 고유 읽기

'읽다'라는 단어에 알맞은 오쿠리가나를 고르세요.

本を{読|よ}___。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer:
'읽다'의 사전형은 'yomu'이며, {読む|よ・む}라고 씁니다.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 일본어 오쿠리가나 규칙 (가나 접미사 활용)

형용사 '비싸다/높다'의 오쿠리가나가 올바른 문장은?

Select the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: このカメラは高い。
{高い|たか・い}와 같은 이형용사는 항상 'i'가 한자 밖으로 나와야 합니다.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 일본어 오쿠리가나 규칙 (가나 접미사 활용)

굵게 표시된 한자의 올바른 읽기를 고르세요.

나는 {花|꽃} (___)을 좋아해 vs. 나는 {花火|불꽃놀이} (___)를 좋아해.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: hana / hana
{花火|はなび}는 예외적으로 훈독끼리 결합한 단어예요. 하지만 보통 혼자 있을 땐 훈독({花|はな})을 씁니다.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 한자 읽기: 음독 (중국식 소리)

'정보'에 알맞은 한자를 고르세요.

新しい___をウェブサイトでチェックしました。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {情|じょう}{報|ほう}
'정보'는 일본어로 {情|じょう}{報|ほう}라고 읽고 씁니다.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 중급 한자: 다음 200자 (100-300)

읽기 실수를 찾아 바르게 고쳐보세요.

Find and fix the mistake:

학생이 말했습니다: "{山|さん}に{登りました|のぼりました}。" (산에 올랐습니다.)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: "{山|さん}"을 "{山|やま}"으로 고치기
«{山|やま}»이 단독 명사로 쓰일 때는 훈독인 'やま'를 써야 해요. '산(サン)'은 후지산 같은 이름 뒤에 붙는 음독이랍니다.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 훈독(Kun-yomi) 마스터하기: 한자의 일본식 고유 읽기

단어의 읽는 법을 추측해 보세요.

{地下鉄|???} (지하철)은 어떻게 읽을까요? 힌트: 한자끼리 뭉쳐 있어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: chikatetsu (음독)
한자 세 개가 모인 복합어이므로 각각의 음독인 Chi + Ka + Tetsu를 연결해서 읽습니다.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 한자 읽기: 음독 (중국식 소리)

Score: /10

자주 묻는 질문 (6)

중국에서 들어온 소리인 '음독'과 일본 고유어인 '훈독'이 섞여서 그래요. 예를 들어 «情報»(음독)와 «情け»(훈독)처럼 쓰임이 다르답니다.
총 300자에서 600자 정도예요. 기초를 뗀 후 배우는 이 200자가 문장에서 가장 많이 쓰이는 '알짜배기' 한자들이에요.
일본은 원래 글자가 없었어요. 중국에서 한자를 들여올 때 그 소리인 음독도 함께 가져와서 일본식으로 맞춘 거예요. «{漢字|かんじ}라는 단어 자체가 그 증거죠.»
대부분 있지만, 일본에서 직접 만든 한자인 '국자(国字)'는 음독이 없기도 해요. «{働|はたら}く(일하다) 같은 글자가 대표적이에요.»
한자가 일본에 들어오기 전부터 일본 사람들이 쓰던 원래 단어를 한자에 연결한 거예요. 예를 들어 '물'을 뜻하는 일본어 «{みず}»를 한자 «{水}»에 붙여 읽는 식이죠.
대부분의 사전에서 훈독은 히라가나(예: «{みず}»)로, 음독은 가타카나(예: «{スイ}»)로 적혀 있어 한눈에 알 수 있어요.