If you’ve ever studied Japanese, then you’ve probably been shocked by the sheer number of characters in the language. With over 2,000 kanji characters to memorize, tracking how many you’ve learned so far can be difficult.
But don’t worry!
We’re here to help with a comprehensive guide on this intricate but important part of Japanese culture. Here will explore everything from what Kanji is to how many of them there are.
So let’s get started!
What is a Kanji Character?
Kanji characters are logograms used in the Japanese language. They come from Chinese characters and can represent both words and concepts. These characters are often used together with hiragana and katakana to create words or sentences.
Kanji can be written in different ways depending on the context they’re being used in. For example, some have different readings when used as part of a compound word compared to when used as independent characters.
The History of Kanji
Kanji has been used in Japanese since the 5th century and is derived from Chinese characters. The earliest written form of Japanese was heavily influenced by Chinese writing. As a result, many Kanji has been borrowed from Chinese into the Japanese language.
Throughout history, more and more Kanji have been added to the language. In 1981, the Japanese government standardized a list of characters. These characters were deemed necessary for everyday literacy and are known as the “Joyo kanji” or “regular-use characters.”
So How Many Kanji are There?
There are estimated to be around 50,000 Kanji characters in existence.
However, the amount of Kanji that learners have to memorize and understand is typically much lower than this.
Generally speaking, around 2,136 “general-use” kanji characters are officially recognized by Japan’s Ministry of Education (MEXT). These characters form the basis for most everyday writing and reading in Japan.
Why so Many Different Kanji?
The reason why so many different Kanji exist is that they have been around for centuries. Over time, new ones were added while some fell into disuse or were simplified into existing ones.
While more than 50,000 official characters may exist today, not all will be commonly used in modern-day Japanese. If you want to learn every single one, go ahead - but it might take years!
How to Get Started in Learning Kanji?
Learning Kanji can be daunting, but it can be accomplished with the right approach.
Begin by learning the Joyo Kanji characters necessary for everyday literacy, and then gradually add to your repertoire of kanji knowledge.
To complement your kanji learning journey, consider taking an online Japanese course. These courses often have a variety of interactive tools and resources to help you practice writing the characters as well as get feedback from native Japanese speakers.
Practicing reading and writing in Japanese regularly is essential to get comfortable with each character and improving reading comprehension and fluency. A commitment to persistently reassess your progress will lead you ultimately to mastering the art of kanji writing!
How Many Kanji do You Need to be Fluent?
For most people, a knowledge of around 1800 - 2000 kanji characters will be enough to fluently speak and understand Japanese. This is because most everyday conversations are composed of 2,136 Joyo kanji characters, plus a few additional ones.
Of course, if you need to use more specialized terms or are an advanced learner of the language, it will be beneficial to learn these characters too.
Learning 2000+ Kanji may seem like an impossible task for anyone trying to learn Japanese, but don't worry - you don't need to know them all! Focus on mastering the most common before gradually building up your knowledge with less common ones over time.
Final Thoughts
Learning kanji can be tricky, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. So don’t be afraid to take on the challenge and dive into this fascinating world of characters! Good luck!
Happy learning! 😉
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