Side-by-Side Comparison: 写 vs. 考 vs. 己 vs. 記
Every kanji below contains the Praying (考) component. Bold readings indicate the primary WaniKani reading:
| Kanji & Meaning | Readings (Bold = Primary) | Shibashi Visual Mnemonic Story | Top Compound Word |
|---|---|---|---|
| 写 (Copy) | ON: しゃ KUN: うつ |
The poor boy without boots(u) is trying to perfectly copy the shaman prayer. | 写真 (しゃしん) — photograph |
| 考 (Think) | ON: こう KUN: かんが |
For some reason, the man in the kangaroo coat thinks praying will still help him now... | 考える (かんがえる) — to consider |
| 己 (Oneself) | ON: こ, き KUN: — |
To know oneself, the koala kid must pray for wisdom... | — |
| 記 (Write Down) | ON: き KUN: しる |
When the king tells you how to sheer(u) sheep, don't just kneel, write down what you hear! | 記入 (きにゅう) — entry, filling in of forms |
How Each Kanji Uses the Praying (考) Visual Motif
1. 写 (Copy) — Praying Radical (考) in Context
On’yomi: しゃ | Kun’yomi: うつ
Shibashi Visual Story: “The poor boy without boots(u) is trying to perfectly copy the shaman prayer.”
2. 考 (Think) — Praying Radical (考) in Context
On’yomi: こう | Kun’yomi: かんが
Shibashi Visual Story: “For some reason, the man in the kangaroo coat thinks praying will still help him now...”
- 考える (かんがえる): to consider
- 考え (かんがえ): thinking, thought, ideas, intention
3. 己 (Oneself) — Praying Radical (考) in Context
On’yomi: こ, き | Kun’yomi: —
Shibashi Visual Story: “To know oneself, the koala kid must pray for wisdom...”
4. 記 (Write Down) — Praying Radical (考) in Context
On’yomi: き | Kun’yomi: しる
Shibashi Visual Story: “When the king tells you how to sheer(u) sheep, don't just kneel, write down what you hear!”
Essential Japanese Vocabulary Words Built from the Praying (考) Family
Once you can recognize 写 (Copy), 考 (Think), 己 (Oneself), 記 (Write Down) by their shared Praying (考) visual motif, practice reading them inside these high-frequency Japanese words from the Shibashi app:
| Japanese Word | Hiragana Reading | English Meaning | JLPT Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 写真 | しゃしん | photograph | JLPT |
| 写す | うつす | To copy | JLPT |
| 考える | かんがえる | to consider | JLPT |
| 考え | かんがえ | thinking, thought, ideas, intention | JLPT |
| 記入 | きにゅう | entry, filling in of forms | JLPT |
| 記者 | きしゃ | reporter | JLPT |