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.
キョウ
おし・える、おそ・わる
- 教える【おしえる】to teach
- 教室【きょうしつ】classroom
- 教育【きょういく】education
シツ
むろ
- 教室【きょうしつ】classroom
- 和室【わしつ】Japanese-style room
- 研究室【けんきゅうしつ】laboratory/professor's office
シュウ
なら・う
- 習う【ならう】to learn (from someone)
- 学習【がくしゅう】learning, study
- 練習【れんしゅう】practice
ベン
つと・める
- 勉強【べんきょう】study
- 勤勉【きんべん】diligent
シ
こころ・みる、ため・す
- 試験【しけん】exam/test
- 試合【しあい】match/game
ケン、ゲン
-
- 試験【しけん】exam/test
- 経験【けいけん】experience
ブン、モン
ふみ
- 作文【さくぶん】composition/essay
- 文学【ぶんがく】literature
- 文法【ぶんぽう】grammar
トウ
こた・える
- 答える【こたえる】to answer
- 答え【こたえ】answer/response
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.
ギョウ、ゴウ
わざ
- 授業【じゅぎょう】class/lesson
- 産業【さんぎょう】industry
- 営業【えいぎょう】business, sales
ドウ
はたら・く
- 働く【はたらく】to work
- 労働【ろうどう】labor
シャ
やしろ
- 会社【かいしゃ】company
- 社会【しゃかい】society
- 社長【しゃちょう】company president
イン
-
- 会社員【かいしゃいん】office worker
- 店員【てんいん】shop assistant
- 社員【しゃいん】company employee
イン
-
- 病院【びょういん】hospital
- 大学院【だいがくいん】graduate school
イ
-
- 医者【いしゃ】doctor
- 医学【いがく】medical science
シャ
もの
- 医者【いしゃ】doctor
- 学者【がくしゃ】scholar
- 若者【わかもの】young people
ジ
こと
- 仕事【しごと】work/job
- 大事【だいじ】important
- 行事【ぎょうじ】event
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.
シン
こころ
- 心【こころ】heart, mind
- 安心【あんしん】relief, peace of mind
- 心配【しんぱい】worry
シ
おも・う
- 思う【おもう】to think, to feel
- 思い出す【おもいだす】to remember, recall
コウ
かんが・える
- 考える【かんがえる】to think over, consider
- 考え【かんがえ】idea, thought
キュウ
いそ・ぐ
- 急ぐ【いそぐ】to hurry
- 急行【きゅうこう】express (train)
- 急に【きゅうに】suddenly
イ
-
- 意味【いみ】meaning
- 意見【いけん】opinion
- 注意【ちゅうい】caution/attention
ミ
あじ
- 味【あじ】taste
- 趣味【しゅみ】hobby
- 興味【きょうみ】interest
ガク、ラク
たの・しい、たの・しむ
- 楽しい【たのしい】fun
- 音楽【おんがく】music
- 楽な【らくな】easy/comfortable
ウン
はこ・ぶ
- 運動【うんどう】exercise
- 運転【うんてん】driving
- 運ぶ【はこぶ】to carry/transport
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。
Aitī 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
Quiz
Which verb means 'to teach'?