Use these pairs to build a small comparison record you can revisit.
The idea
Put the characters side by side with a word, reading and sentence for each. 待 has the step component 彳; 持 has the hand component 扌. In 土 the lower horizontal stroke is longer, while in 士 the upper one is longer. In 未 the upper horizontal is shorter; in 末 it is longer. Cover the words and recall them later, then check a dictionary.
Examples
- 駅で友達を待ちます。I wait for a friend at the station.
- かばんを持ちます。I carry a bag.
- 土に花があります。There are flowers in the soil.
- 兄は武士です。My brother is a samurai.
- 未来について考えます。I think about the future.
- 週末に図書館へ行きます。I go to the library on the weekend.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No Japanese device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
A shape clue is a memory aid, not a guaranteed meaning or reading. Learn each character in a real word and check the whole word.
Try it yourself
駅で友達を＿ちます。（待／持）
Show answer or example answer
待
待: 待つ means to wait; the left side is 彳, unlike the hand component in 持つ.
兄は武＿です。（土／士）
Show answer or example answer
士
士: 武士 is a samurai; 士 has a longer upper horizontal, unlike 土.
週＿に図書館へ行きます。（未／末）
Show answer or example answer
末
末: 週末 means weekend; 末 has the longer upper horizontal, unlike 未 in 未来.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
駅で友達を＿ちます。（待／持）
兄は武＿です。（土／士）
週＿に図書館へ行きます。（未／末）
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
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Make a card for one pair with its distinguishing strokes, two words and your own checked sentences. Test yourself tomorrow.