Lesson L12N2N2 Kanji in Context⏱ 25 min

Industry and Technology Kanji

This lesson introduces kanji such as 業 (industry), 技 (skill), 術 (technique), 機 (machine), 器 (device), and others. You will practice reading and understanding these kanji in sentences related to manufacturing, engineering, and innovation, strengthening your ability to handle technical Japanese at the N2 level.

🎯 Goal: Learn N2 kanji related to industry and technology in context.

Lesson Content

Learning Goal

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to read and understand 6 key N2 kanji related to industry and technology in context. You will learn their meanings, common readings, and how they appear in real-world words and sentences.

Concept

Industry and technology are central to modern life. In Japanese, many kanji related to these fields share common radicals and patterns. Understanding them helps you read news, manuals, and business documents. The kanji in this lesson are frequently used in N2-level materials about manufacturing, engineering, and innovation.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

1. 工 (kō) – craft, industry, construction

Meaning: craft, industry, construction
On'yomi: コウ (kō)
Kun'yomi: (none common)
Radical: 工 (itself)
Example words:
- 工業 (kōgyō) – industry
- 工場 (kōjō) – factory
- 工事 (kōji) – construction work

Memory tip: The shape looks like a simple workbench or a tool – a symbol of making things.

2. 技 (gi) – skill, technique, technology

Meaning: skill, technique, technology
On'yomi: ギ (gi)
Kun'yomi: わざ (waza)
Radical: 扌 (hand)
Example words:
- 技術 (gijutsu) – technology, technique
- 技能 (ginō) – skill, ability
- 技師 (gishi) – engineer

Memory tip: The left side is a hand (扌), the right side is 支 (support). Skill is supported by the hand.

3. 産 (san) – produce, manufacture, birth

Meaning: produce, manufacture, birth
On'yomi: サン (san)
Kun'yomi: う.む (u.mu), う.まれる (u.mareru)
Radical: 生 (life)
Example words:
- 生産 (seisan) – production
- 産業 (sangyō) – industry
- 製品 (seihin) – manufactured goods

Memory tip: The top part (生) means life, and the bottom (厂) is a cliff – think of a factory producing things for life.

4. 機 (ki) – machine, opportunity, aircraft

Meaning: machine, opportunity, aircraft
On'yomi: キ (ki)
Kun'yomi: はた (hata)
Radical: 木 (tree/wood)
Example words:
- 機械 (kikai) – machine, machinery
- 機会 (kikai) – opportunity
- 飛行機 (hikōki) – airplane

Memory tip: The left side is wood (木), the right side is 幾 (how many). Imagine a machine made of many wooden parts.

5. 動 (dō) – move, motion, operate

Meaning: move, motion, operate
On'yomi: ドウ (dō)
Kun'yomi: うご.く (ugo.ku), うご.かす (ugo.kasu)
Radical: 力 (power)
Example words:
- 自動 (jidō) – automatic
- 動作 (dōsa) – operation, movement
- 動力 (dōryoku) – power, motive force

Memory tip: The left side is 重 (heavy), the right side is 力 (power). Moving heavy things requires power.

6. 設 (setsu) – establish, set up, install

Meaning: establish, set up, install
On'yomi: セツ (setsu)
Kun'yomi: もう.ける (mō.keru)
Radical: 言 (say/speech)
Example words:
- 設備 (setsubi) – equipment, facilities
- 設計 (sekkei) – design, planning
- 設立 (setsuritsu) – establishment

Memory tip: The left side is 言 (words), the right side is 殳 (a weapon/tool). Setting up a plan requires both words and tools.

Mini Examples

Japanese	Romaji	English
この工場は新しい機械を導入した。	Kono kōjō wa atarashii kikai o dōnyū shita.	This factory introduced new machines.
技術の進歩は産業を変えた。	Gijutsu no shinpo wa sangyō o kaeta.	Technological progress changed industry.
設計チームが新しい製品を開発した。	Sekkei chīmu ga atarashii seihin o kaihatsu shita.	The design team developed a new product.
自動運転の技術が注目されている。	Jidō unten no gijutsu ga chūmoku sarete iru.	Self-driving technology is attracting attention.

Common Mistake

Mistake: Confusing 機械 (kikai – machine) with 機会 (kikai – opportunity). They are homophones but completely different meanings.

機械 (kikai) = machine (both kanji relate to tools/wood)
機会 (kikai) = opportunity (会 means meeting/encounter)

Tip: Remember that 機械 has 木 (wood) on the left of both characters, so it's physical. 機会 has 会 (meeting), so it's abstract.

Quick Practice

Fill in the blank: この工場では自動__________（gijutsu）を使っています。
- Answer: 技術
Match the kanji to its meaning:
- 設 → ?
- 動 → ?
- 産 → ?
- Answers: 設 = establish, 動 = move, 産 = produce
Read the sentence: 新しい設備を設置しました。
- Romaji: Atarashii setsubi o secchi shimashita.
- English: We installed new equipment.

Summary and Next Step

You have learned 6 essential N2 kanji for industry and technology:

工 (kō) – craft, industry
技 (gi) – skill, technology
産 (san) – produce, manufacture
機 (ki) – machine, opportunity
動 (dō) – move, operate
設 (setsu) – establish, install

Next step: Practice reading these kanji in newspaper headlines or technical manuals. Try to find them in real contexts like product descriptions or news about manufacturing. In the next lesson, we will cover kanji related to business and economics.