Learning new Kanji

[Soloistic]

Just started teaching myself Kanji and I want to do it right so I would like to clear this up now before I go to far in. When teaching myself these kanji, what should I be memorizing?

So far I have been memorizing the ON readings and kun readings, the meaning and stroke order.

For example, 本 is read as ホン(HON) / もと(moto) and means book, main or origin.

Would that be all I need to know about that individual kanji?

 

[Tomii515]

I would remember atleast 4 or 5 compound words as well. for example, 日本（にほん/にっぽん）

Let's see...


You need to know:

1. the kanji
2. on readings
3. kun readings
4. stroke order
5. main meaning(s)
6. compound words

I think that's it... =-)

 

[Soloistic]

Okay, thanks for the help. The book and flashcards I am using both provide a few different compounds, so I will start remembering them as well.

I am up to 32 Kanji now

 

[JimmySeal]

I would remember atleast 4 or 5 compound words as well.

:bikkuri:

If you're serious about learning, I say the only way to go is to learn the meaning and stroke order before anything else, as outlined in Remembering the Kanji, Volume 1. Any other method is a waste of time, in my opinion.

 

[FrustratedDave]

I learnt Kanji the way you are doing it, through pure and simple repetition. This has allowed me to be able to read almost all of the near 2000 jyouyou Kanji in "on" and "kun" yomi. I was however unable to recall all the kanji when it required time to write, I could probably only recall less then half that I could read. But as Jimmyseal has said, that book is great and really helps getting those kanji sticking in your head.

BTW, I have to thank you Jimmy.