Page 38 - Japanese Character Writing for Dummies

under, below, bottom

Shita is the opposite of the previous kanji. It means “below” and “inferior” as in

tsukue no shita (under the desk) and buka (subordinates). Just like
GE, KA/shita,
ue, shita is a noun. However, when it’s pronounced oriru, it means “to go
sa(garu), o(riru)
down.” The other pronunciation, sagaru, means “to descend.”

Radical: 一 Number of strokes: three

before, previous, front

This kanji designates what is before you or what comes before, from a temporal or spa-

tial point of view. For example, tsuke no mae means “in front of the desk.”
ZEN/mae
When it’s combined with the kanji 日 (day), it becomes zenjitsu (the day before).

By adding the kanji meaning “name” in front of , you can make the compound
namae, which means “name.” When you fill out any kind of official documents, you’ll
see this word!

Radical: 刂 Number of strokes: nine

32 Japanese Character Writing For Dummies