Japanese Kanji Radicals Cheat Sheet: 87 Visual Building Blocks & Mnemonic Chart

Shibashi Visual Kanji Mnemonics • shibashiapp.com/kanji-radicals-cheat-sheet/

86 Visual Radical Families

87 VISUAL FAMILIES • RADICALS CHART

Japanese Kanji Radicals Cheat Sheet: 87 Visual Building Blocks & Mnemonic Chart

Instead of treating kanji as 15 random strokes, Shibashi turns recurring radicals into 87 memorable characters and objects (Temple 寺, Gate 門, Daikon 良, Archer 力).

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木 Family: Tree

Tree Radical Family (木)

10 Kanji Sharing 木 (Tree):

木Tree 本Book 休Rest 東East 校School 新New 集Gather 果Fruit 困Distressed 村Village

斤 Family: Ax

Ax Radical Family (斤)

4 Kanji Sharing 斤 (Ax):

斤Axe 新New 近Close, Near 所Place

言 Family: Speech

Speech Radical Family (言)

4 Kanji Sharing 言 (Speech):

言Say 語Language 試Try 記Write Down

弋 Family: Wedding

Wedding Radical Family (弋)

4 Kanji Sharing 弋 (Wedding):

代Substitute 貸Lend 式Ritual 試Try

米 Family: Rice

Rice Radical Family (米)

2 Kanji Sharing 米 (Rice):

来Come 米Rice

糸 Family: Pine Tree

Pine Tree Radical Family (糸)

3 Kanji Sharing 糸 (Pine Tree):

終End 紙Paper 組Group

且 Family: Building

Building Radical Family (且)

4 Kanji Sharing 且 (Building):

且Also 組Group 祖Ancestor 助Help

又 Family: Bar

Bar Radical Family (又)

3 Kanji Sharing 又 (Bar):

友Friend 飯Meal 髪Hair

周 Family: Church

Church Radical Family (周)

3 Kanji Sharing 周 (Church):

周Circumference 週Week 調Investigate

良 Family: Daikon

Daikon Radical Family (良)

7 Kanji Sharing 良 (Daikon):

良Good 食Food 飯Meal 館Building 飲Drink 銀Silver 娘Daughter

金 Family: Gold Crown

Gold Crown Radical Family (金)

2 Kanji Sharing 金 (Gold Crown):

金Gold 銀Silver

白 Family: Daikon Server

Daikon Server Radical Family (白)

2 Kanji Sharing 白 (Daikon Server):

白White 習Learn

至 Family: Meditating Room

Meditating Room Radical Family (至)

3 Kanji Sharing 至 (Meditating Room):

至Attain 室Room 屋Roof

大 Family: Big Person

Big Person Radical Family (大)

2 Kanji Sharing 大 (Big Person):

大Big 太Fat

人 Family: Person

Person Radical Family (人)

3 Kanji Sharing 人 (Person):

人Person 内Inside 美Beauty

共 Family: Friends

Friends Radical Family (共)

2 Kanji Sharing 共 (Friends):

共Together 供Offer

丷 Family: Antenna

Antenna Radical Family (丷)

2 Kanji Sharing 丷 (Antenna):

業Work, Business 実Truth

力 Family: Archer

Archer Radical Family (力)

5 Kanji Sharing 力 (Archer):

力Power 動Move 勉Hard Work, Effort 加Add 助Help

礻 Family: Sheep Robot

Sheep Robot Radical Family (礻)

3 Kanji Sharing 礻 (Sheep Robot):

社Company 礼Thanks 祖Ancestor

王 Family: King

King Radical Family (王)

7 Kanji Sharing 王 (King):

王King 主Master 理Reason 全All 現Present Time 玉Ball, Jewel 国Country

門 Family: Gate

Gate Radical Family (門)

8 Kanji Sharing 門 (Gate):

門Gate 聞Listen, Hear 間Interval, Space 問Question 開Open 閉Closed 関Barrier/Connection 簡Simple/Easy

寺 Family: Temple

Temple Radical Family (寺)

5 Kanji Sharing 寺 (Temple):

寺Temple 時Time 待Wait 持Hold, Carry 特Special

寸 Family: Mailpost

Mailpost Radical Family (寸)

7 Kanji Sharing 寸 (Mailpost):

可Possible 何What 寸Measurement 付Attach 対Versus 村Village 団Group

戸 Family: Door

Door Radical Family (戸)

4 Kanji Sharing 戸 (Door):

戸Door 声Voice 所Place 戻To Return

日 Family: Sunny Window

Sunny Window Radical Family (日)

5 Kanji Sharing 日 (Sunny Window):

日Sun, Day 映Reflect 晩Late Evening 最Most 易Easy

日 Family: Sun

Sun Radical Family (日)

5 Kanji Sharing 日 (Sun):

時Time 早Early 朝Morning 明Bright 草Grass

毎 Family: Window with View

Window with View Radical Family (毎)

2 Kanji Sharing 毎 (Window with View):

毎Every 海Sea

夕 Family: Tent

Tent Radical Family (夕)

2 Kanji Sharing 夕 (Tent):

外Outside 夜Night

刀 Family: Sword

Sword Radical Family (刀)

3 Kanji Sharing 刀 (Sword):

刀Sword 分Divide 解Solve

水 Family: Water

Water Radical Family (水)

2 Kanji Sharing 水 (Water):

水Water 泳Swim

立 Family: Podium

Podium Radical Family (立)

7 Kanji Sharing 立 (Podium):

立Stand 音Sound 親Parent 新New 意Meaning 泣Cry 辞Quit

辶 Family: Scooter

Scooter Radical Family (辶)

7 Kanji Sharing 辶 (Scooter):

運Carry, Luck 送Send 通Pass Through 道Road 週Week 近Close, Near 進Advance

隹 Family: Bird

Bird Radical Family (隹)

2 Kanji Sharing 隹 (Bird):

集Gather 進Advance

羊 Family: Sheep

Sheep Radical Family (羊)

3 Kanji Sharing 羊 (Sheep):

羊Sheep 洋Western Style, Ocean 着Wear

心 Family: Heart

Heart Radical Family (心)

5 Kanji Sharing 心 (Heart):

心Heart 思Think 意Meaning 必Certain 怒Angry

具 Family: TV

TV Radical Family (具)

3 Kanji Sharing 具 (TV):

具Tool 真Truth, Reality 直Straight

未 Family: Airplane

Airplane Radical Family (未)

2 Kanji Sharing 未 (Airplane):

未Not Yet 末End

古 Family: Grave

Grave Radical Family (古)

7 Kanji Sharing 古 (Grave):

古Old 者Someone 去Past 考Think 孝Filial Piety 教Teach 苦Suffering

夂 Family: Snowman

Snowman Radical Family (夂)

3 Kanji Sharing 夂 (Snowman):

冬Winter 後Behind, After 終End

厶 Family: Piano

Piano Radical Family (厶)

6 Kanji Sharing 厶 (Piano):

広Wide 公Public 私I 台Stand, Platform 始Begin 去Past

田 Family: Rice Field

Rice Field Radical Family (田)

3 Kanji Sharing 田 (Rice Field):

田Rice field 界World, Boundary 町Town

女 Family: Woman

Woman Radical Family (女)

10 Kanji Sharing 女 (Woman):

女Woman 安Relax 姉Older Sister 妹Younger Sister 始Begin 好Like 要Need 娘Daughter 婦Lady 怒Angry

市 Family: City Hall

City Hall Radical Family (市)

2 Kanji Sharing 市 (City Hall):

市City 姉Older Sister

矢 Family: Wounded Soldier

Wounded Soldier Radical Family (矢)

3 Kanji Sharing 矢 (Wounded Soldier):

知Know 失Fault 医Medicine

皮 Family: Fancy Chair

Fancy Chair Radical Family (皮)

3 Kanji Sharing 皮 (Fancy Chair):

支Support 皮Skin 彼He

貝 Family: Robot

Robot Radical Family (貝)

4 Kanji Sharing 貝 (Robot):

員Member 買Buy 貸Lend 質Quality

牛 Family: Cow

Cow Radical Family (牛)

4 Kanji Sharing 牛 (Cow):

牛Cow 物Thing 特Special 解Solve

糸 Family: Thread

Thread Radical Family (糸)

2 Kanji Sharing 糸 (Thread):

糸Thread 係Connection

免 Family: Tired Girl

Tired Girl Radical Family (免)

3 Kanji Sharing 免 (Tired Girl):

免Excuse 勉Hard Work, Effort 晩Late Evening

重 Family: Moving

Moving Radical Family (重)

2 Kanji Sharing 重 (Moving):

重Heavy 動Move

口 Family: Mouth

Mouth Radical Family (口)

2 Kanji Sharing 口 (Mouth):

口Mouth 味Taste, Flavor

欠 Family: Singing Kangaroos

Singing Kangaroos Radical Family (欠)

4 Kanji Sharing 欠 (Singing Kangaroos):

歌Song 飲Drink 欠Lack 次Next

幾 Family: Yarn Machine

Yarn Machine Radical Family (幾)

2 Kanji Sharing 幾 (Yarn Machine):

幾How Many 機Machine

彳 Family: Slide

Slide Radical Family (彳)

4 Kanji Sharing 彳 (Slide):

行Go 後Behind, After 待Wait 彼He

月 Family: Ladder

Ladder Radical Family (月)

4 Kanji Sharing 月 (Ladder):

月Moon 有Have 期Period of Time 能Ability

売 Family: Young Entrepreneur

Young Entrepreneur Radical Family (売)

2 Kanji Sharing 売 (Young Entrepreneur):

売Sell 院Institution

首 Family: Long Neck

Long Neck Radical Family (首)

2 Kanji Sharing 首 (Long Neck):

首Neck 道Road

角 Family: Coyote Fence

Coyote Fence Radical Family (角)

4 Kanji Sharing 角 (Coyote Fence):

角Corner, Angle 通Pass Through 解Solve 備Provide

言 Family: Cake

Cake Radical Family (言)

3 Kanji Sharing 言 (Cake):

計Measure 調Investigate 話Talk

是 Family: Lost Dinosaur

Lost Dinosaur Radical Family (是)

3 Kanji Sharing 是 (Lost Dinosaur):

是Absolutely 題Topic 起Wake up

考 Family: Praying

Praying Radical Family (考)

4 Kanji Sharing 考 (Praying):

写Copy 考Think 己Oneself 記Write Down

石 Family: Cliff

Cliff Radical Family (石)

5 Kanji Sharing 石 (Cliff):

有Have 着Wear 石Stone 研Polish, Sharpen 備Provide

殳 Family: Sir. Snowman

Sir. Snowman Radical Family (殳)

3 Kanji Sharing 殳 (Sir. Snowman):

役Service 段Steps 投Throw

合 Family: Mountain House

Mountain House Radical Family (合)

2 Kanji Sharing 合 (Mountain House):

答Answer 合Fit, Join

止 Family: Closed Road

Closed Road Radical Family (止)

3 Kanji Sharing 止 (Closed Road):

止Stop 正Correct 歩Walk

刂 Family: Knife

Knife Radical Family (刂)

2 Kanji Sharing 刂 (Knife):

別Separate 利Profit

禾 Family: Grain

Grain Radical Family (禾)

5 Kanji Sharing 禾 (Grain):

秋Autumn 私I 利Profit 科Science 笑Laugh

火 Family: Fire

Fire Radical Family (火)

2 Kanji Sharing 火 (Fire):

火Fire 秋Autumn

子 Family: Child

Child Radical Family (子)

4 Kanji Sharing 子 (Child):

子Child 好Like 孝Filial Piety 教Teach

父 Family: Father

Father Radical Family (父)

3 Kanji Sharing 父 (Father):

父Father 教Teach 交Mix

酉 Family: Alcohol

Alcohol Radical Family (酉)

2 Kanji Sharing 酉 (Alcohol):

酒Alcohol 配Distribute

手 Family: Hand

Hand Radical Family (手)

3 Kanji Sharing 手 (Hand):

手Hand 持Hold, Carry 打Hit

馬 Family: Horse

Horse Radical Family (馬)

2 Kanji Sharing 馬 (Horse):

馬Horse 験Test

豕 Family: Pig

Pig Radical Family (豕)

2 Kanji Sharing 豕 (Pig):

家Home 豚Pig, Pork

史 Family: Payphone

Payphone Radical Family (史)

3 Kanji Sharing 史 (Payphone):

史History 使Use 便Convenience

勿 Family: Worship

Worship Radical Family (勿)

2 Kanji Sharing 勿 (Worship):

場Location 易Easy

旦 Family: Dawn

Dawn Radical Family (旦)

3 Kanji Sharing 旦 (Dawn):

旦Dawn 場Location 昼Noon, Daytime

舟 Family: Boat

Boat Radical Family (舟)

2 Kanji Sharing 舟 (Boat):

舟Small Boat 船Large Boat

亜 Family: Catamaran

Catamaran Radical Family (亜)

2 Kanji Sharing 亜 (Catamaran):

亜Asia 悪Bad

占 Family: Mini-Store

Mini-Store Radical Family (占)

2 Kanji Sharing 占 (Mini-Store):

占Fortune 店Store

舌 Family: Singing Cat

Singing Cat Radical Family (舌)

4 Kanji Sharing 舌 (Singing Cat):

舌Tongue 活Lively 話Talk 辞Quit

干 Family: Drying Rack

Drying Rack Radical Family (干)

2 Kanji Sharing 干 (Drying Rack):

干Dry 午Noon

兄 Family: Older Brother

Older Brother Radical Family (兄)

2 Kanji Sharing 兄 (Older Brother):

兄Older Brother 説Theory

軍 Family: Kebab Robot

Kebab Robot Radical Family (軍)

2 Kanji Sharing 軍 (Kebab Robot):

軍Army 運Carry, Luck

氏 Family: Sad Man

Sad Man Radical Family (氏)

4 Kanji Sharing 氏 (Sad Man):

氏Family Name 低Low 婚Marriage 眠Sleep

帚 Family: Country Mansion

Country Mansion Radical Family (帚)

2 Kanji Sharing 帚 (Country Mansion):

帰Return Home 婦Lady

木 Tree 木 · 本 · 休 · 東 · 校斤 Ax 斤 · 新 · 近 · 所言 Speech 言 · 語 · 試 · 記弋 Wedding 代 · 貸 · 式 · 試米 Rice 来 · 米糸 Pine Tree 終 · 紙 · 組且 Building 且 · 組 · 祖 · 助又 Bar 友 · 飯 · 髪周 Church 周 · 週 · 調良 Daikon 良 · 食 · 飯 · 館 · 飲金 Gold Crown 金 · 銀白 Daikon Server 白 · 習至 Meditating Room 至 · 室 · 屋大 Big Person 大 · 太人 Person 人 · 内 · 美共 Friends 共 · 供丷 Antenna 業 · 実力 Archer 力 · 動 · 勉 · 加 · 助礻 Sheep Robot 社 · 礼 · 祖王 King 王 · 主 · 理 · 全 · 現門 Gate 門 · 聞 · 間 · 問 · 開寺 Temple 寺 · 時 · 待 · 持 · 特寸 Mailpost 可 · 何 · 寸 · 付 · 対戸 Door 戸 · 声 · 所 · 戻日 Sunny Window 日 · 映 · 晩 · 最 · 易日 Sun 時 · 早 · 朝 · 明 · 草毎 Window with View 毎 · 海夕 Tent 外 · 夜刀 Sword 刀 · 分 · 解水 Water 水 · 泳立 Podium 立 · 音 · 親 · 新 · 意辶 Scooter 運 · 送 · 通 · 道 · 週隹 Bird 集 · 進羊 Sheep 羊 · 洋 · 着心 Heart 心 · 思 · 意 · 必 · 怒具 TV 具 · 真 · 直未 Airplane 未 · 末古 Grave 古 · 者 · 去 · 考 · 孝夂 Snowman 冬 · 後 · 終厶 Piano 広 · 公 · 私 · 台 · 始田 Rice Field 田 · 界 · 町女 Woman 女 · 安 · 姉 · 妹 · 始市 City Hall 市 · 姉矢 Wounded Soldier 知 · 失 · 医皮 Fancy Chair 支 · 皮 · 彼貝 Robot 員 · 買 · 貸 · 質牛 Cow 牛 · 物 · 特 · 解糸 Thread 糸 · 係免 Tired Girl 免 · 勉 · 晩重 Moving 重 · 動口 Mouth 口 · 味欠 Singing Kangaroos 歌 · 飲 · 欠 · 次幾 Yarn Machine 幾 · 機彳 Slide 行 · 後 · 待 · 彼月 Ladder 月 · 有 · 期 · 能売 Young Entrepreneur 売 · 院首 Long Neck 首 · 道角 Coyote Fence 角 · 通 · 解 · 備言 Cake 計 · 調 · 話是 Lost Dinosaur 是 · 題 · 起考 Praying 写 · 考 · 己 · 記石 Cliff 有 · 着 · 石 · 研 · 備殳 Sir. Snowman 役 · 段 · 投合 Mountain House 答 · 合止 Closed Road 止 · 正 · 歩刂 Knife 別 · 利禾 Grain 秋 · 私 · 利 · 科 · 笑火 Fire 火 · 秋子 Child 子 · 好 · 孝 · 教父 Father 父 · 教 · 交酉 Alcohol 酒 · 配手 Hand 手 · 持 · 打馬 Horse 馬 · 験豕 Pig 家 · 豚史 Payphone 史 · 使 · 便勿 Worship 場 · 易旦 Dawn 旦 · 場 · 昼舟 Boat 舟 · 船亜 Catamaran 亜 · 悪占 Mini-Store 占 · 店舌 Singing Cat 舌 · 活 · 話 · 辞干 Drying Rack 干 · 午兄 Older Brother 兄 · 説軍 Kebab Robot 軍 · 運氏 Sad Man 氏 · 低 · 婚 · 眠帚 Country Mansion 帰 · 婦

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