異字同訓 (Iji Doukun)

24th May – 皐月

It might be one of the hardest languages to learn Japanese, as Japanese have 3 different styles Alphabets and I’m most cases we use all alphabets everywhere.

Especially remembering 漢字 (Kanji) is a nightmare – even for native Japanese too as there are just too many of them.

Each Kanji normally have 2 ways to pronounce. For instance, 空 can be pronounced as Sora, and Kuu. The way of reading it as Sora is called 訓読み (Kun Yomi) which is originally from Japan. On the other hand, Kuu is called 音読み (On Yomi) and this way of pronouncing came from China.

For 訓読み 漢字, there are different characters but meaning similar or just a little bit different – those related words are called 異字同訓 (Iji Doukun) and used often in normal life in Japan.

あつい　(Atsui)

-暑い: the weather is hot like summer

-熱い: the temperature is hot, used often for the drinks, bath

あし (Ashi)

-足: below ankle area, more like foot

-脚: below the trunk, entire legs

かたい (Katai)

-硬い: strong and won’t be destroyed easily by the outside power. Often used for stones, metals

-固い: strong and won’t deform

-堅い: stuffed inside so very hard. Trustworthy, keepi the secret

かえる (Kaeru)

-変える: change to the different shape compared to before. Eg. hair color/ style change

-替える: change to new things. Eg. TV, curtains, Table

-換える: exchanging, switching. Eg: air in the room

-代える: replace the role with somebody. Eg: substitute player

People in Japan learn those Kanji and understand the subtle meanings in order to use properly.

If you master all Iji Doukun, all your Japanese friends will be astonished:)