4 Must-Know JLPT N4 Verb Kanji: 決める (Decide), 集める (Collect), 調べる (Investigate) & 解く (Solve/Untie)
You cannot read a single page of JLPT N4 or N3 Japanese without running into 決める (decide), 集める (gather), 調べる (look up/investigate), and 解く (solve). Here are the visual stories that lock all four in.
Look at how clearly each kanji draws the action of the verb: asking words (言) all the way around (周) is 調べる (shiraberu — to investigate / look up in a dictionary), while using a knife (刀) to separate a horn (角) from an ox (牛) is 解く (toku — to untie / solve a problem)!
Quick Comparison: 決 (Decide) vs. 集 (Gather) vs. 調 (Investigate) vs. 解 (Solve)
Compare all four essential JLPT N4 verb kanjis and their readings below:
| Kanji & Meaning | Primary Readings (Bold = Primary) | Shibashi Visual Mnemonic Hook | Common Compound Word |
|---|---|---|---|
| 決 — Decide | On: けつ Kun: き |
氵 (Water) + 夬 (a hand breaking open a dike/levee) = releasing the water in one direction = DECIDE / SETTLE (kimeru / kimaru / ketsu). | 決める (きめる) — to decide |
| 集 — Gather | On: しゅう Kun: あつ |
隹 (Short-tailed Bird) perched on top of 木 (Tree) = birds flocking to a tree = GATHER / COLLECT (atsumeru / atsumaru / shū). | 集団 (しゅうだん) — group, mass, collective body |
| 調 — Investigate | On: ちょう Kun: しら |
言 (Words/Ask) + 周 (All around the perimeter) = asking questions all the way around = INVESTIGATE / CHECK / TUNE / CONDITION (shiraberu / chō). | 調子 (ちょうし) — tune, tone, key, pitch, t... |
| 解 — Solve | On: かい Kun: と |
角 (Horn) + 刀 (Knife) + 牛 (Cow) = using a knife to separate a cow's horn = SOLVE / UNTIE / UNDERSTAND (toku / wakaru / kai). | 理解 (りかい) — understanding, comprehens... |
Side-by-Side Illustrated Kanji Flashcards (Tap Readings for Audio)
Compare the custom Shibashi artwork for 決 (Decide) and 調 (Investigate) below. Notice how each illustration embeds both the English meaning and the primary Japanese reading directly into the scene, and tap any reading to hear native pronunciation:
Step-by-Step Visual Breakdown & Radical Rules
Trace the radicals and top compound words for each verb:
1. 決 (Decide) — Mnemonic Story & Readings
On'yomi: けつ | Kun'yomi: き
Shibashi Visual Story: “With no jacket(su) (けつ) and a bagpack full of kiwis (き) the kid decided to go and see the world...” Key visual distinction: 氵 (Water) + 夬 (a hand breaking open a dike/levee) = releasing the water in one direction = DECIDE / SETTLE (kimeru / kimaru / ketsu).
- 決める (きめる): to decide
- 決して (けっして): never
- 解決 (かいけつ): settlement, solution, resolution
2. 集 (Gather) — Mnemonic Story & Readings
On'yomi: しゅう | Kun'yomi: あつ
Shibashi Visual Story: “Birds in shoes (しゅう) love to gather on top of trees, and eat nut soup (あつ)...” Key visual distinction: 隹 (Short-tailed Bird) perched on top of 木 (Tree) = birds flocking to a tree = GATHER / COLLECT (atsumeru / atsumaru / shū).
- 集団 (しゅうだん): group, mass, collective body
- 集める (あつめる): to collect something
- 集まり (あつまり): gathering, meeting, assembly, collection
3. 調 (Investigate) — Mnemonic Story & Readings
On'yomi: ちょう | Kun'yomi: しら
Shibashi Visual Story: “A girl just left chocolate (ちょう) cake in front of the church and she run (しら). The church needs to investigate...” Key visual distinction: 言 (Words/Ask) + 周 (All around the perimeter) = asking questions all the way around = INVESTIGATE / CHECK / TUNE / CONDITION (shiraberu / chō).
- 調子 (ちょうし): tune, tone, key, pitch, time, rhythm
- 調べる (しらべる): to investigate
4. 解 (Solve) — Mnemonic Story & Readings
On'yomi: かい | Kun'yomi: と
Shibashi Visual Story: “Coyote (かい) on a fence and a sword... that's how a cow guard solved people trying to avoid the toll (と)...” Key visual distinction: 角 (Horn) + 刀 (Knife) + 牛 (Cow) = using a knife to separate a cow's horn = SOLVE / UNTIE / UNDERSTAND (toku / wakaru / kai).
- 理解 (りかい): understanding, comprehension, appreciation
- 解く (とく): to unfasten
- 解ける (とける): to come untied, to come apart
Essential Japanese Vocabulary Words Using 決 / 集 / 調 / 解
Once you can recognize 決 (Decide) and 集 (Gather) and 調 (Investigate) individually, lock them into your active reading vocabulary with these high-frequency Japanese words from the Shibashi app:
| Japanese Word | Hiragana Reading | English Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 決める | きめる | to decide | JLPT |
| 決して | けっして | never | JLPT |
| 解決 | かいけつ | settlement, solution, resolution | JLPT |
| 集団 | しゅうだん | group, mass, collective body | JLPT |
| 集める | あつめる | to collect something | JLPT |
| 集まり | あつまり | gathering, meeting, assembly, collection | JLPT |
| 調子 | ちょうし | tune, tone, key, pitch, time, rhythm | JLPT |
| 調べる | しらべる | to investigate | JLPT |
5-Second Memory Summary: How to Never Mix Up 決 & 集 & 調 Again
1) 氵 (Water) bursting a levee = 決める (kimeru — Decide). 2) 隹 (Bird) on a 木 (Tree) = 集める (atsumeru — Gather/Collect). 3) 言 (Words) + 周 (Lap around) = 調べる (shiraberu — Look up/Investigate, 調子 chōshi 'condition'). 4) 角 + 刀 + 牛 = 解く (toku — Solve / Untie)!
