Kanji
Nature & people
人
person
Readings: ジン・ニン / ひと
Parts
人 a walking person (pictograph)
How to remember
Two legs mid-stride — a person walking toward you.
Words using it
日
sun / day
Readings: ニチ / ひ・か
Parts
日 the sun (pictograph)
How to remember
The sun drawn as a window with light across the middle. One turn of the sun is one day.
Words using it
月
moon / month
Readings: ゲツ・ガツ / つき
Parts
月 a crescent moon (pictograph)
How to remember
A crescent moon with two ribs of shadow inside. The moon's cycle gives us the month.
水
water
Readings: スイ / みず
Parts
水 flowing water (pictograph)
How to remember
A stream down the middle, splashing drops to both sides: water.
Words using it
木
tree / wood
Readings: モク / き
Parts
木 a tree (pictograph)
How to remember
A trunk with branches reaching up and roots reaching down: a tree.