社会と仕事の漢字 (N4 Kanji Part 2: Society & Work)
Learning objectives
- Learn kanji related to school, education, and study.
- Understand kanji used for society, business, and work.
- Recognize kanji for expressing emotions and thoughts.
- Practice reading kanji combinations in professional and academic contexts.
In the previous chapter, we covered kanji for everyday life and the human body. As you transition into N4, you will increasingly encounter Japanese in academic, professional, and social environments. This chapter focuses on kanji related to school, business, society, and understanding others’ minds and feelings. Let’s build your professional vocabulary!
1. School & Education (学校と教育)
Education is highly valued in Japanese culture, and the vocabulary surrounding it is precise.
On'yomi
キョウ
Kun'yomi
おし・える、おそ・わる
Examples
- to teach
教える【おしえる】
- classroom
教室【きょうしつ】
- education
教育【きょういく】
On'yomi
シツ
Kun'yomi
むろ
Examples
- classroom
教室【きょうしつ】
- Japanese-style room
和室【わしつ】
- laboratory/professor's office
研究室【けんきゅうしつ】
On'yomi
シュウ
Kun'yomi
なら・う
Examples
- to learn (from someone)
習う【ならう】
- learning, study
学習【がくしゅう】
- practice
練習【れんしゅう】
On'yomi
ベン
Kun'yomi
つと・める
Examples
- study
勉強【べんきょう】
- diligent
勤勉【きんべん】
On'yomi
シ
Kun'yomi
こころ・みる、ため・す
Examples
- exam/test
試験【しけん】
- match/game
試合【しあい】
On'yomi
ケン、ゲン
Kun'yomi
-
Examples
- exam/test
試験【しけん】
- experience
経験【けいけん】
On'yomi
ブン、モン
Kun'yomi
ふみ
Examples
- composition/essay
作文【さくぶん】
- literature
文学【ぶんがく】
- grammar
文法【ぶんぽう】
On'yomi
トウ
Kun'yomi
こた・える
Examples
- to answer
答える【こたえる】
- answer/response
答え【こたえ】
田中先生は日本語を教えています。
Tanaka-sensei wa nihongo o oshiete imasu.
Professor Tanaka teaches Japanese.
昨日の夜、漢字を復習しました。
Kinou no yoru, kanji o fukushuu shimashita.
Last night, I reviewed kanji.
この教室で英語を勉強します。
Kono kyoushitsu de eigo o benkyou shimasu.
I study English in this classroom.
来週の月曜日に、大切な試験があります。
Raishuu no getsuyoubi ni, taisetsuna shiken ga arimasu.
There is an important exam next Monday.
質問の答えを考えて、文を書いてください。
Shitsumon no kotae o kangaete, bun o kaite kudasai.
Think about the answer to the question and write a sentence.
ピアノの練習を毎日しています。
Piano no renshuu o mainichi shite imasu.
I practice the piano every day.
2. Business & Society (仕事と社会)
When working in Japan or dealing with companies, these are some of the most essential kanji.
On'yomi
ギョウ、ゴウ
Kun'yomi
わざ
Examples
- class/lesson
授業【じゅぎょう】
- industry
産業【さんぎょう】
- business, sales
営業【えいぎょう】
On'yomi
ドウ
Kun'yomi
はたら・く
Examples
- to work
働く【はたらく】
- labor
労働【ろうどう】
On'yomi
シャ
Kun'yomi
やしろ
Examples
- company
会社【かいしゃ】
- society
社会【しゃかい】
- company president
社長【しゃちょう】
On'yomi
イン
Kun'yomi
-
Examples
- office worker
会社員【かいしゃいん】
- shop assistant
店員【てんいん】
- company employee
社員【しゃいん】
On'yomi
イン
Kun'yomi
-
Examples
- hospital
病院【びょういん】
- graduate school
大学院【だいがくいん】
On'yomi
イ
Kun'yomi
-
Examples
- doctor
医者【いしゃ】
- medical science
医学【いがく】
On'yomi
シャ
Kun'yomi
もの
Examples
- doctor
医者【いしゃ】
- scholar
学者【がくしゃ】
- young people
若者【わかもの】
On'yomi
ジ
Kun'yomi
こと
Examples
- work/job
仕事【しごと】
- important
大事【だいじ】
- event
行事【ぎょうじ】
私は日本の会社で働いています。
Watashi wa nihon no kaisha de hataraite imasu.
I work at a Japanese company.
スーパーの店員はとても親切でした。
Suupaa no ten'in wa totemo shinsetsu deshita.
The supermarket employee was very kind.
将来、医者になりたいと思っています。
Shourai, isha ni naritai to omotte imasu.
In the future, I want to become a doctor.
病気になったので、病院へ行きました。
Byouki ni natta node, byouin e ikimashita.
Since I became sick, I went to the hospital.
この仕事はとても大事です。
Kono shigoto wa totemo daiji desu.
This work is very important.
大学院で文学の勉強をしています。
Daigakuin de bungaku no benkyou o shite imasu.
I am studying literature at graduate school.
3. Feeling and Thinking (感情と思考)
To understand motives and emotions, you need kanji dealing with the mind and heart.
On'yomi
シン
Kun'yomi
こころ
Examples
- heart, mind
心【こころ】
- relief, peace of mind
安心【あんしん】
- worry
心配【しんぱい】
On'yomi
シ
Kun'yomi
おも・う
Examples
- to think, to feel
思う【おもう】
- to remember, recall
思い出す【おもいだす】
On'yomi
コウ
Kun'yomi
かんが・える
Examples
- to think over, consider
考える【かんがえる】
- idea, thought
考え【かんがえ】
On'yomi
キュウ
Kun'yomi
いそ・ぐ
Examples
- to hurry
急ぐ【いそぐ】
- express (train)
急行【きゅうこう】
- suddenly
急に【きゅうに】
On'yomi
イ
Kun'yomi
-
Examples
- meaning
意味【いみ】
- opinion
意見【いけん】
- caution/attention
注意【ちゅうい】
On'yomi
ミ
Kun'yomi
あじ
Examples
- taste
味【あじ】
- hobby
趣味【しゅみ】
- interest
興味【きょうみ】
On'yomi
ガク、ラク
Kun'yomi
たの・しい、たの・しむ
Examples
- fun
楽しい【たのしい】
- music
音楽【おんがく】
- easy/comfortable
楽な【らくな】
On'yomi
ウン
Kun'yomi
はこ・ぶ
Examples
- exercise
運動【うんどう】
- driving
運転【うんてん】
- to carry/transport
運ぶ【はこぶ】
明日は雨が降ると思います。
Ashita wa ame ga furu to omoimasu.
I think it will rain tomorrow.
よく考えてから、答えてください。
Yoku kangaete kara, kotaete kudasai.
Please answer after thinking carefully.
急がないと、電車に間に合いません。
Isoganai to, densha ni maniaimasen.
If you don't hurry, you won't be in time for the train.
この漢字の意味がわかりません。
Kono kanji no imi ga wakarimasen.
I don't understand the meaning of this kanji.
私の趣味は音楽を聞くことです。
Watashi no shumi wa ongaku o kiku koto desu.
My hobby is listening to music.
健康のために、毎日運動をしています。
Kenkou no tame ni, mainichi undou o shite imasu.
I exercise every day for my health.
4. Cultural Insight: Japanese Work Culture (日本の仕事文化)
The Japanese workplace is famous for its unique customs, many of which are reflected in the kanji we’ve studied.
Zangyou (残業) — Overtime
The word 残業 (zangyou) literally means “remaining work.” In many Japanese companies, it is common to stay late until the task is finished or until the superior leaves. While this is changing with “Work-Life Balance” initiatives, the concept of dedication to the group remains strong.
Nomikai (飲み会) — Drinking Parties
Socializing after work is considered a part of the job in many traditional companies. These parties, called 飲み会 (nomikai), are where employees can relax (to an extent) and speak more freely with their bosses. It’s often said that “Nomunication” (Nomi + Communication) is essential for career building.
Punctuality (時間厳守)
Being on time is non-negotiable. If a meeting starts at 9:00 AM, being there at 9:00 AM is considered “late.” Most employees arrive at least 10 minutes early to be ready the moment the clock strikes.
Contextual Dialogues
Dialogue 1: Talking About the Future (将来について)
鈴木さん、卒業した後、何をしようと考えていますか。
Suzuki-san, sotsugyou shita ato, nani o shiyou to kangaete imasu ka.
Suzuki, after graduating, what do you plan to do?
ITの会社で働きたいと思っています。
Aitii no kaisha de hatarakitai to omotte imasu.
I think I want to work at an IT company.
いいですね。今、プログラミングを勉強していますか。
Ii desu ne. Ima, puroguramingu o benkyou shite imasu ka.
That's nice. Are you studying programming now?
はい、先生に習っています。毎日復習していますよ。
Hai, sensei ni naratte imasu. Mainichi fukushuu shite imasu yo.
Yes, I am learning from a teacher. I review every single day.
とても勤勉ですね。立派な会社員になるから、安心してください。
Totemo kinben desu ne. Rippana kaishain ni naru kara, anshin shite kudasai.
You are very diligent. You will become a great employee, rest assured.
Dialogue 2: At the Hospital (病院にて)
今日はどうしましたか。
Kyou wa dou shimashita ka.
How are you feeling today?
昨日から、頭が痛くて熱があります。
Kinou kara, atama ga itakute netsu ga arimasu.
Since yesterday, my head hurts and I have a fever.
そうですか。この薬を飲んで、家でゆっくり休んでください。
Sou desu ka. Kono kusuri o nonde, ie de yukkuri yasunde kudasai.
I see. You should take this medicine and rest at home.
明日は仕事に行けますか。
Ashita wa shigoto ni ikemasu ka.
Will I be able to go to work tomorrow?
急がないでください。健康が一番大事ですよ。
Isoganaide kudasai. Kenkou ga ichiban daiji desu yo.
Please don't hurry. Your health is the most important thing.
Chapter Summary
- 1教, 室, 習, 勉, 試, 験 form the vocabulary for school and exams.
- 2業, 働, 社, 員, 院, 医, 者, 事 describe the professional world and medical institutions.
- 3心, 思, 考, 意, 味, 楽, 運 relate to internal thoughts, meanings, and physical movement/exercise.
- 4Cultural terms like 残業 (overtime) and 病院 (hospital) are vital for navigating life in Japan.
- 5Japanese often uses separate verbs for logical thinking (考える) and subjective thinking (思う).
Knowledge Check
Which verb means 'to teach'?
Which verb means 'to teach'?
- A習う
- B教える
- C働く
- D考える
Select the correct reading for '会社員'
- Aかいしゃいん
- Bがしゃいん
- Cかいじゃいん
- Dしゃかいいん
What does '試験' (shiken) mean?
- AMatch
- BExperience
- CExam/Test
- DExperiment
Which kanji means 'doctor'?
- A医者
- B学者
- C若者
- D社員
In what context do you use '考える' (kangaeru) vs '思う' (omou)?
- A考える is for natural feelings; 思う is for deep consideration.
- B考える is for deep consideration/logic; 思う is for natural feelings/opinions.
- CThey have exactly the same meaning and usage.
- D考える is only for business; 思う is only for school.
What is the reading for '安心'?
- Aあこころ
- Bあんごころ
- Cあんしん
- Dやすしん
Which kanji means 'hospital'?
- A大学院
- B少年院
- C病院
- D美容院
Read the word '興味'.
- Aきょうみ
- Bしゅみ
- Cいみ
- Dあじ
What does '意味' (imi) mean?
- ATaste
- BOpinion
- CMeaning
- DAttention
What does '勤勉' (kinben) mean?
- ALazy
- BClever
- CDiligent
- DFast
What is the meaning of '趣味' (shumi)?
- AInterest
- BHobby
- CTaste
- DOpinion
Choose the correct kanji for 'exercise'.
- A運転
- B運動
- C運ぶ
- D運命
What does '残業' (zangyou) refer to in Japanese culture?
- ALunch break
- BCompany party
- COvertime work
- DBusiness trip
Which word means 'grammar'?
- A作文
- B文学
- C文法
- D文字
What is the reading for '音楽'?
- Aおんがく
- Bおんらく
- Cたのしい
- Dがっき
Applied review
Use what you learned
Focus: Work and study kanji. Try the task before revealing the model.
Produce the Japanese sentence, then compare it with the model answer.
1.Write a sentence using 試験 and 勉強.
Work and study kanji in context
N4 mini-reading
- When do employees receive training?