Lesson L6N5N5 Kanji in Context⏱ 15 min

Direction and Position Kanji

This lesson introduces and practices key N5 kanji related to direction and position, such as 上 (up), 下 (down), 左 (left), 右 (right), 前 (front), and 後 (back). Each kanji is presented in common words and sentences, helping learners understand readings, stroke order, and real-life application in describing locations and movements.

🎯 Goal: Learn N5 kanji related to direction and position in context.

Lesson Content

Learning Goal

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to read, write, and use 6 essential N5 kanji for direction and position: 上 (up), 下 (down), 右 (right), 左 (left), 中 (inside/middle), and 外 (outside). You will also learn how to use them in simple sentences.

Concept

In Japanese, direction and position kanji are used constantly—in directions, locations, and everyday descriptions. These kanji often combine with other words to form common vocabulary. Think of them as your "compass" for navigating Japanese.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

1. 上 (うえ – ue) – Up / Above / On

Kanji	On'yomi	Kun'yomi	Meaning
上	ジョウ (jou)	うえ (ue), あ (あげる/ageru)	up, above, on

Stroke order: Start with the vertical line, then the horizontal line across the top, then the short horizontal line below it.
Memory tip: Imagine a person standing on a box (the vertical line is the person, the horizontal lines are the box).

Examples:

上 (うえ) – up, above
上手 (じょうず) – skillful (literally "above hand")
上がる (あがる) – to go up, to rise

2. 下 (した – shita) – Down / Below / Under

Kanji	On'yomi	Kun'yomi	Meaning
下	カ (ka), ゲ (ge)	した (shita), さ (さげる/sageru)	down, below, under

Stroke order: The long horizontal line first, then the dot on top, then the vertical line below.
Memory tip: The dot on top is "above," and the vertical line goes "down" from it.

Examples:

下 (した) – down, below
下手 (へた) – unskillful (literally "below hand")
下りる (おりる) – to go down, to descend

3. 右 (みぎ – migi) – Right

Kanji	On'yomi	Kun'yomi	Meaning
右	ウ (u), ユウ (yuu)	みぎ (migi)	right

Stroke order: The horizontal line first, then the left-slanting stroke, then the mouth shape (口).
Memory tip: The "mouth" (口) is on the right side of the kanji.

Examples:

右 (みぎ) – right
右手 (みぎて) – right hand
右側 (みぎがわ) – right side

4. 左 (ひだり – hidari) – Left

Kanji	On'yomi	Kun'yomi	Meaning
左	サ (sa)	ひだり (hidari)	left

Stroke order: The horizontal line first, then the left-slanting stroke, then the "work" radical (工).
Memory tip: The "work" (工) is on the left side of the kanji. Compare with 右 (right has 口/mouth on the right).

Examples:

左 (ひだり) – left
左手 (ひだりて) – left hand
左側 (ひだりがわ) – left side

5. 中 (なか – naka) – Inside / Middle / Center

Kanji	On'yomi	Kun'yomi	Meaning
中	チュウ (chuu)	なか (naka)	inside, middle, center

Stroke order: The outer box first, then the vertical line through the middle.
Memory tip: The vertical line runs right through the center of the box.

Examples:

中 (なか) – inside, middle
中国 (ちゅうごく) – China (literally "middle country")
中学校 (ちゅうがっこう) – middle school

6. 外 (そと – soto) – Outside

Kanji	On'yomi	Kun'yomi	Meaning
外	ガイ (gai), ゲ (ge)	そと (soto), ほか (hoka)	outside, other

Stroke order: The left radical (夕) first, then the right radical (卜).
Memory tip: The "evening" (夕) is going outside to look at the stars (卜).

Examples:

外 (そと) – outside
外国 (がいこく) – foreign country (literally "outside country")
外に (そとに) – to the outside

Mini Examples in Context

Japanese	Romaji	English
本は机の上にあります。	Hon wa tsukue no ue ni arimasu.	The book is on the desk.
猫は椅子の下にいます。	Neko wa isu no shita ni imasu.	The cat is under the chair.
右に曲がってください。	Migi ni magatte kudasai.	Please turn right.
左に曲がってください。	Hidari ni magatte kudasai.	Please turn left.
箱の中に何がありますか？	Hako no naka ni nani ga arimasu ka?	What is inside the box?
犬は外にいます。	Inu wa soto ni imasu.	The dog is outside.

Common Mistake

Mistake: Confusing 右 (right) and 左 (left).

Why it happens: They look very similar—both have a horizontal line and a left-slanting stroke at the top.

How to avoid it:

Remember: 右 (right) has 口 (mouth) → the mouth is on the right side.
Remember: 左 (left) has 工 (work) → the work is on the left side.
Practice writing them side by side until the difference feels natural.

Quick Practice

Fill in the blanks with the correct kanji (上, 下, 右, 左, 中, 外):

机の___に本があります。 (The book is on the desk.)
→ 机の上に本があります。
猫は箱の___にいます。 (The cat is inside the box.)
→ 猫は箱の中にいます。
___に曲がってください。 (Please turn left.)
→ 左に曲がってください。
犬は家の___にいます。 (The dog is outside the house.)
→ 犬は家の外にいます。
椅子の___に猫がいます。 (The cat is under the chair.)
→ 椅子の下に猫がいます。
___に曲がってください。 (Please turn right.)
→ 右に曲がってください。

Summary and Next Step

You have learned:

6 N5 kanji for direction and position: 上 (up), 下 (down), 右 (right), 左 (left), 中 (inside/middle), 外 (outside)
How to use them in simple location sentences with に (ni)
How to avoid confusing 右 and 左

Next step: Practice using these kanji in real-life situations. Try describing where things are in your room using 上, 下, 中, and 外. Then practice giving directions with 右 and 左. In the next lesson, you will learn how to combine these with other location words like 前 (front) and 後ろ (back).