DuraRing · KANJI GUIDE

How to look up unfamiliar kanji

Radicals, strokes, shapes and handwriting: there is more than one way to find a character.

How do you look up unfamiliar kanji?

Do you look up kanji like this?

Even without the reading, try radicals, stroke counts, shapes or handwriting.

If you know the radical’s name, such as shinnyō, use a radical index or search. Narrow the list by the remaining strokes.

If you do not know the radical, count all the strokes and use a stroke-count index. If nothing matches, check your count.

Try describing the parts, their number and position: ‘fire on the left, … on the right’. A component search such as ‘火火’ can also help.

Windows · Microsoft Japanese IME

Switch to Japanese input, then right-click “あ” or “A” on the taskbar.
Open “IME Pad”, choose “Hand Writing” and draw the unfamiliar character.
Choose a matching character, insert it into a search field and look up its reading or meaning.

For a printed book, scan with DuraRing and check the suggested character, reading and meaning.

Search examples open results in a new tab. Those results may reveal the reading.

Don’t let an unfamiliar word stop you.

Scan unfamiliar kanji and save them with the book.
Learn kanji as you enjoy the books you love.

Scan a printed page.
Check the reading and meaning.

Save kanji with your book.
Revisit them with the scene.

Illustrations and records show how the features work.Cover: Kokoro, Shinchōsha

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