Kanji
School, big & small
大
big
Readings: ダイ・タイ / おお(きい)
Parts
人 person·一 outstretched arms
How to remember
A person stretching both arms as wide as they can — THIS big.
Words using it
小
small
Readings: ショウ / ちい(さい)・こ
Parts
亅 hook·八 two small drops
How to remember
A thin hook with two tiny drops falling off its sides — something very small.
Words using it
学
study / learning
Readings: ガク / まな(ぶ)
Parts
⺍ sparks·冖 roof·子 child
How to remember
A child under a school roof with sparks of ideas flying above: learning.
Words using it
生
life / birth / student
Readings: セイ・ショウ / い(きる)・う(まれる)・なま
Parts
生 a sprout pushing out of the ground (pictograph)
How to remember
A sprout breaking through the ground — life beginning. A student (学生) is a sprout still growing.
Words using it
先
ahead / previous
Readings: セン / さき
Parts
土 marker in the ground·儿 legs
How to remember
Legs walking past a marker planted in the ground — going on ahead. A teacher (先生) was born ahead of you.
Words using it