Lesson L8N3N3 Kanji in Context⏱ 25 min

Science and Technology Kanji

This lesson introduces key kanji related to fields like chemistry, physics, biology, and technology. You will practice reading and understanding these kanji in authentic sentences and phrases from scientific texts, helping you build vocabulary for academic or professional settings.

🎯 Goal: Learn N3 kanji related to science and technology in context.

Lesson Content

Learning Goal

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to read, write, and understand 8 N3 kanji related to science and technology. You will learn their core meanings, common readings, and how they appear in real-world technical vocabulary.

Concept

Science and technology kanji often describe materials, processes, and devices. Many share components (radicals) that hint at their meaning—like the "metal" radical (金) or the "fire" radical (火). Understanding these kanji will help you read technical articles, product manuals, and news about innovation.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

1. 科 (カ, か) – "science; department; section"

Radical: 禾 (grain)
Readings: カ (on'yomi), か (kun'yomi)
Meaning: Originally "to classify grain," now means "science" or "field of study."
Common word: 科学 (かがく, kagaku) – science
Memory tip: Think of a scientist sorting grains into categories.

2. 技 (ギ, わざ) – "skill; technique; technology"

Radical: 扌 (hand)
Readings: ギ (on'yomi), わざ (kun'yomi)
Meaning: Skill or technique performed by hand.
Common word: 技術 (ぎじゅつ, gijutsu) – technology; engineering
Memory tip: A hand (扌) performing a precise technique.

3. 機 (キ, はた) – "machine; opportunity; aircraft"

Radical: 木 (tree/wood)
Readings: キ (on'yomi), はた (kun'yomi)
Meaning: A wooden machine; also "opportunity."
Common word: 機械 (きかい, kikai) – machine; machinery
Memory tip: A wooden loom (機) weaving threads—early technology.

4. 電 (デン) – "electricity; electric"

Radical: 雨 (rain) + 田 (rice field) + 曰 (say)
Readings: デン (on'yomi only)
Meaning: Lightning striking a field—electricity.
Common word: 電話 (でんわ, denwa) – telephone (electric talk)
Memory tip: Rain (雨) + field (田) = lightning = electricity.

5. 子 (シ, ス, こ) – "child; seed; particle"

Radical: 子 (child)
Readings: シ, ス (on'yomi), こ (kun'yomi)
Meaning: Also means "particle" in science (e.g., electron).
Common word: 電子 (でんし, denshi) – electron; electronic
Memory tip: A child (子) is a tiny particle of the future.

6. 化 (カ, ケ, ば.ける) – "change; transform; -ization"

Radical: 匕 (spoon) + 匕 (spoon)
Readings: カ, ケ (on'yomi), ば.ける (kun'yomi)
Meaning: Two spoons changing shape—transformation.
Common word: 化学 (かがく, kagaku) – chemistry (change science)
Memory tip: A chemical reaction changes one substance into another.

7. 物 (ブツ, モツ, もの) – "thing; object; matter"

Radical: 牛 (cow) + 勿 (not)
Readings: ブツ, モツ (on'yomi), もの (kun'yomi)
Meaning: A physical object or substance.
Common word: 物質 (ぶっしつ, busshitsu) – matter; substance
Memory tip: A cow (牛) is a physical thing (物).

8. 発 (ハツ, ホツ, た.つ) – "emit; start; discharge"

Radical: 癶 (dotted tent) + 弓 (bow) + 殳 (weapon)
Readings: ハツ, ホツ (on'yomi), た.つ (kun'yomi)
Meaning: To shoot out or emit.
Common word: 発電 (はつでん, hatsuden) – power generation (emit electricity)
Memory tip: A bow (弓) shooting an arrow—energy released.

Mini Examples

Kanji	Word	Romaji	English
科	科学	kagaku	science
技	技術	gijutsu	technology
機	機械	kikai	machine
電	電子	denshi	electron / electronic
化	化学	kagaku	chemistry
物	物質	busshitsu	matter / substance
発	発電	hatsuden	power generation

Common Mistake

Confusing 科 (science) with 料 (material/fee)

科学 (kagaku) = science
材料 (zairyou) = material
The radical 禾 (grain) vs. 米 (rice) is the key difference. 科 has grain on the left; 料 has rice on the left.

Quick Practice

Read and translate: この機械は新しい技術を使っています。
- Kono kikai wa atarashii gijutsu o tsukatteimasu.
- Answer: This machine uses new technology.
Fill in the blank: 太陽光______で電気を作ります。
- Taiyoukou ______ de denki o tsukurimasu.
- Hint: It means "power generation."
- Answer: 発電 (hatsuden)
Which kanji means "to transform" and appears in "chemistry"?
- Answer: 化 (ka)

Summary and Next Step

You've learned 8 essential N3 kanji for science and technology: 科, 技, 機, 電, 子, 化, 物, 発. Practice reading them in compound words like 科学 (science), 技術 (technology), and 発電 (power generation).

Next step: Study the kanji for "computer" (コンピューター) and "data" (データ) in katakana, then learn the kanji 情報 (じょうほう, jouhou – information) to expand your technical vocabulary.