If you’re just starting your Japanese learning journey, kanji may feel overwhelming. But here’s the good news: you don’t need to memorize thousands of characters to get started. In fact, learning just 20 essential beginner kanji will instantly help you understand signs, menus, basic conversations, and JLPT N5 study materials.
This guide introduces the first 20 kanji every beginner should learn, including their meanings, readings, and example words.
Let’s start building your kanji foundation today!
✅ Why Start With These 20 Kanji?
These characters were selected because they are:
- Used in everyday life (signs, apps, labels, stations)
- High-frequency beginner Japanese
- Essential for JLPT N5
- Easy to memorize using simple shapes and meanings
- Building blocks for more advanced kanji
Once you learn these, you’ll be able to recognize hundreds of basic words.
🈶 The First 20 Kanji for Beginners
Below is a simple table you can study right away.
1. 一
Meaning: one
Reading: いち
Example: 一つ（ひとつ）＝ one thing
2. 二
Meaning: two
Reading: に
Example: 二人（ふたり）＝ two people
3. 三
Meaning: three
Reading: さん
Example: 三時（さんじ）＝ 3 o’clock
4. 四
Meaning: four
Reading: し / よん
Example: 四月（しがつ）＝ April
5. 五
Meaning: five
Reading: ご
Example: 五分（ごふん）＝ 5 minutes
6. 六
Meaning: six
Reading: ろく
Example: 六日（むいか）＝ 6th day
7. 七
Meaning: seven
Reading: しち / なな
Example: 七時（しちじ）＝ 7 o’clock
8. 八
Meaning: eight
Reading: はち
Example: 八円（はちえん）＝ 8 yen
9. 九
Meaning: nine
Reading: きゅう / く
Example: 九月（くがつ）＝ September
10. 十
Meaning: ten
Reading: じゅう
Example: 十分（じゅうぶん）＝ 10 minutes / enough
11. 日
Meaning: sun / day
Reading: にち / ひ
Example: 日本（にほん）＝ Japan
12. 月
Meaning: moon / month
Reading: げつ / つき
Example: 月曜日（げつようび）＝ Monday
13. 火
Meaning: fire
Reading: か
Example: 火曜日（かようび）＝ Tuesday
14. 水
Meaning: water
Reading: すい
Example: 水（みず）＝ water
15. 木
Meaning: tree / wood
Reading: もく / き
Example: 木曜日（もくようび）＝ Thursday
16. 金
Meaning: gold / money
Reading: きん / かね
Example: お金（おかね）＝ money
17. 土
Meaning: earth / soil
Reading: ど / つち
Example: 土曜日（どようび）＝ Saturday
18. 人
Meaning: person
Reading: ひと / じん
Example: 日本人（にほんじん）＝ Japanese person
19. 口
Meaning: mouth / opening
Reading: くち
Example: 出口（でぐち）＝ exit
20. 車
Meaning: car / vehicle
Reading: くるま / しゃ
Example: 電車（でんしゃ）＝ train
✨ Tips for Learning These Kanji Quickly
1. Learn the radicals
Many of these kanji contain simple building blocks you’ll see again and again.
➡️ A Guide to the 214 Kanji Radicals and Their Meanings
2. Practice with mnemonics
Visual stories improve memory retention.
➡️ How to Memorize Kanji Using Mnemonics and Visual Cues
3. Write each kanji 5–10 times
Proper stroke order helps you memorize the shape faster.
➡️ Understanding Kanji Stroke Order for Better Writing
4. Review using flashcards
Apps like Anki or physical flashcards make studying easier.
➡️ Using Flashcards Effectively to Memorize Kanji
🧩 Next Step: Learn Kanji With Our Free Beginner Lessons
At My Nihongo Sensei, beginners can start learning Japanese step-by-step with 4 free online lessons—perfect for mastering kana, kanji, and beginner grammar.
👉 Start your free beginner lessons!
📌 More Links for Japanese Learners
- JLPT N5 to N1: Kanji You Need to Know for Each Level
- How to Learn Kanji Efficiently Without Getting Overwhelmed
- How to Read Kanji Without Furigana
- The Most Common Kanji Mistakes Beginners Make
- A Guide to the 214 Kanji Radicals and Their Meanings
- Using Flashcards Effectively to Memorize Kanji
Start learning kanji the easy way! This beginner-friendly guide introduces the first 20 kanji every Japanese learner should know, with meanings, readings, and helpful examples. Perfect for absolute beginners and JLPT N5 learners.
