Recognize 的 in words such as 的 and 目的; connect each whole word with its reading and meaning.

The idea

Common Chinese-derived readings include テキ. Japanese-origin readings include まと. Compare 的 (まと) with 目的 (もくてき). 的 has 8 strokes; follow their order in the linked KanjiVG diagram.

Patterns to compare
Japanese wordReadingMeaning
的まとtarget
目的もくてきpurpose; aim
具体的ぐたいてきspecific; concrete

Examples

  • この旅行りょこうの目的もくてきは日本語にほんごの勉強べんきょうです。The purpose of this trip is to study Japanese.
  • 弓ゆみで的まとを狙ねらいます。I aim at the target with a bow.
  • 矢やが的まとに当あたりました。The arrow hit the target.
  • この計画けいかくの目的もくてきは何なんですか。What is the purpose of this plan?
  • 具体的ぐたいてきな例れいを教おしえてください。Please give me a specific example.
  • もっと具体的ぐたいてきに話はなしてください。Please speak more specifically.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

的 alone is まと; the suffix 的 is てき. 具体的な modifies a noun, while 具体的に modifies a verb. Compare 的 with 白: look for 勺 in 的.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 的 in hiragana.

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    まと

    的 is read まと; the whole word means target.

  2. Write the reading of 目的 in hiragana.

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    もくてき

    目的 is read もくてき; the whole word means purpose; aim.

  3. Fill in the missing kanji: 具体＿（ぐたいてき）.

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    的

    的 completes 具体的, read ぐたいてき; the whole word means specific; concrete.

Use it today

Cover the table, write 的 from memory, and read 的 and 目的 aloud. Make a sentence, then check the readings and meanings.