Lesson L10N3N3 Kanji in Context⏱ 25 min

Communication Kanji

This lesson introduces kanji commonly encountered in communication and media at the N3 level. Each kanji is presented with readings, common compounds, and example sentences to develop recognition and usage in real-world contexts.

🎯 Goal: Learn N3 kanji related to communication and media in context.

Lesson Content

Learning Goal

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to read, write, and understand 8 key N3 kanji related to communication and media. You will learn them in context through common words and sentences, helping you recognize them in real-world Japanese.

Concept

Communication and media are central to daily life. These kanji appear frequently in news, conversations, and written materials. Mastering them will boost your reading comprehension and help you discuss topics like news, interviews, and information sharing.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

1. 伝 (デン, つた・える) – "transmit, convey"

On'yomi: デン (den)
Kun'yomi: つた・える (tsutaeru), つた・わる (tsutawaru)
Meaning: transmit, convey, communicate
Memory tip: The left radical (人) is a person; the right part (云) looks like a cloud with lines. Imagine a person sending a message through a cloud.
Writing note: The left radical is narrow; the right part has 4 strokes. Keep the bottom horizontal line stable.
Example words:
- 伝える (tsutaeru) – to convey, to tell
- 伝統 (dentō) – tradition (something passed down)

2. 報 (ホウ, むく・いる) – "report, news"

On'yomi: ホウ (hō)
Kun'yomi: むく・いる (mukuiru)
Meaning: report, news, reward
Memory tip: The left radical (幸) means happiness; the right (卩) is a seal/stamp. A happy stamp on a news report.
Writing note: The left side has 8 strokes; the right side is a simple 2-stroke seal shape.
Example words:
- 報道 (hōdō) – news report, coverage
- 情報 (jōhō) – information

3. 聞 (ブン, き・く) – "hear, ask"

On'yomi: ブン (bun)
Kun'yomi: き・く (kiku)
Meaning: hear, listen, ask
Memory tip: The radical (門) is a gate; inside is (耳) ear. You put your ear to the gate to hear.
Writing note: The gate radical (門) wraps around the ear (耳). Keep the ear centered.
Example words:
- 聞く (kiku) – to hear, to listen, to ask
- 新聞 (shinbun) – newspaper (new + hear = what you hear new)

4. 話 (ワ, はな・す) – "talk, story"

On'yomi: ワ (wa)
Kun'yomi: はな・す (hanasu), はなし (hanashi)
Meaning: talk, conversation, story
Memory tip: The left radical (言) is words; the right (舌) is tongue. Words + tongue = talking.
Writing note: The left radical (言) has 7 strokes; the right (舌) has 6. Keep the tongue's top horizontal line straight.
Example words:
- 話す (hanasu) – to speak, to talk
- 電話 (denwa) – telephone (electric + talk)

5. 通 (ツウ, とお・る) – "pass through, communicate"

On'yomi: ツウ (tsū)
Kun'yomi: とお・る (tōru), かよ・う (kayou)
Meaning: pass through, commute, communicate
Memory tip: The radical (辶) is movement; the right part (甬) looks like a road with a bucket. Imagine a bucket moving along a road.
Writing note: The movement radical (辶) is written last. The right part has 7 strokes.
Example words:
- 通る (tōru) – to pass through
- 交通 (kōtsū) – traffic, transportation

6. 連 (レン, つら・なる) – "connect, link"

On'yomi: レン (ren)
Kun'yomi: つら・なる (tsuranaru), つ・れる (tsureru)
Meaning: connect, link, take along
Memory tip: The radical (辶) is movement; the right part (車) is a vehicle. A vehicle moving to connect places.
Writing note: The vehicle radical (車) has 7 strokes; the movement radical (辶) is written last.
Example words:
- 連絡 (renraku) – contact, communication
- 連続 (renzoku) – continuous, series

7. 情 (ジョウ, なさ・け) – "feeling, emotion, information"

On'yomi: ジョウ (jō)
Kun'yomi: なさ・け (nasake)
Meaning: feeling, emotion, compassion, information
Memory tip: The left radical (忄) is heart; the right (青) is blue/green. A blue heart = calm emotion.
Writing note: The heart radical (忄) is written first (3 strokes); the right part (青) has 8 strokes.
Example words:
- 情報 (jōhō) – information (emotion + report)
- 感情 (kanjō) – emotion, feeling

8. 放 (ホウ, はな・す) – "release, broadcast"

On'yomi: ホウ (hō)
Kun'yomi: はな・す (hanasu), ほう・る (hōru)
Meaning: release, let go, broadcast
Memory tip: The left radical (方) is direction; the right (攵) is a hand with a stick. A hand releasing something in a direction.
Writing note: The left radical (方) has 4 strokes; the right (攵) has 4 strokes.
Example words:
- 放送 (hōsō) – broadcast (release + send)
- 解放 (kaihō) – liberation, release

Mini Examples

Kanji	Word	Romaji	English
伝	伝える	tsutaeru	to convey
報	報道	hōdō	news report
聞	新聞	shinbun	newspaper
話	電話	denwa	telephone
通	交通	kōtsū	traffic
連	連絡	renraku	contact
情	情報	jōhō	information
放	放送	hōsō	broadcast

Common Mistake

Confusing 話 (hanasu – to talk) with 放 (hanasu – to release/broadcast). They share the same kun'yomi (はなす) but have different kanji and meanings. Remember: 話 has 言 (words) on the left → talking. 放 has 方 (direction) on the left → releasing in a direction.
Mixing up 通 (tōru – pass through) and 連 (tsuranaru – connect). Both involve movement, but 通 is about passing through a space, while 連 is about linking things together.

Quick Practice

Fill in the blank with the correct kanji:
毎朝、__ 報 (hōdō) を聞きます。
(Answer: 新)
Choose the correct reading:
情報 (jōhō / jōbō) を集める。
(Answer: jōhō)
Translate to Japanese using a kanji from this lesson:
"I will contact you."
(Answer: 連絡します / renraku shimasu)

Summary and Next Step

You now know 8 key N3 kanji for communication and media: 伝, 報, 聞, 話, 通, 連, 情, 放. Practice reading them in newspapers, news websites, or conversations. Next, learn kanji for "technology and internet" to expand your media vocabulary further.