About this Draft
This page is part of the early access version of The Kanji Speedrun. The essentials—kanji meanings and mnemonics—are already in place and usable, but nearly every part of the page is still being polished. Some entries may contain mistakes, but please rest assured we are working hard to make revisions.
We’re sharing these drafts now so you can keep learning while we polish the full experience. If you notice something off, please don’t hesitate to let me know—it’s a huge help in improving the course!
田
RICE FIELD
Mnemonic
Look at this kanji and see a square divided into four sections. Just like neatly divided plots of farmland, this is a RICE FIELD. Picture yourself standing on a country path, gazing over fields separated into grids, each one filled with water and shining in the sun.
Many kanji related to farming, food, or nature will build on this character, since rice fields have long been central to life in Japan.
Example Vocabulary
- 田んぼ（たんぼ） – rice field
- 田中（たなか） – Tanaka (common surname, “in the rice fields”)
- 田園（でんえん） – rural area; countryside
- 田植え（たうえ） – rice planting
- 水田（すいでん） – irrigated rice field
The heart of the countryside
With 田, you see the backbone of rural Japan. From everyday surnames like 田中 to the shimmering 水田, this character reminds us how deeply rice farming is tied to culture, food, and tradition. Even today, planting season (田植え) marks a rhythm in village life.
Example Sentences
- 山のふもとに広い田んぼがあります。– At the foot of the mountain, there is a wide rice field.
- 彼の名字は田中です。– His family name is Tanaka.