One-character difficult kanji quiz: a multiple-choice (3 options) game to learn the readings of challenging kanji

age; year(s) old; occasion; festival;—the meaning depends on context. Commonly, as a suffix “〜歳” means “years old,” and as “際(さい)” it means “when/on the occasion of.”

The kanji 犀 is read as “sai.” It refers to the animal known as the rhinoceros. This thick-skinned mammal is known for having a single horn and skin that looks like armor, and it is commonly written in katakana.

Option 2

The Musasabi (Japanese giant flying squirrel) is a small, nocturnal mammal adept at climbing trees, and species with large membranes are known for gliding from tree to tree. It is herbivorous, preferring foods such as acorns, cypress cones, and leaves, and can be found in Japan.

thistle

The correct reading of 薊 is “azami.” This kanji most often refers to the plant known as azami; it is sometimes also called “nogeshi,” but the common reading is “azami.” Azami bears purplish flowers and is characterized by its spiky appearance.

garlic chives

The correct reading of 韮 is “nira.” It is a plant classified in the onion family, and its leaves are used in cooking for flavoring and color. It is a perennial of the lily family, and the description conveys the appearance of grasses clustering on the ground.

thrush

Tsugumi is read as “tsugumi.” Compared to kanji that represent other birds like cranes (tsuru) or hawks (taka), it is less common and is especially used in classical Chinese-style poetry. In Japan, it is a creature that can be seen in regions without snowfall during winter.

dawn

The kanji 曙 is read as “akebono.” It refers to the faint light before dawn, especially the time just after night breaks when the eastern sky begins to brighten. It is a term often used in classical literature and is considered somewhat difficult to read in modern times.

otter

The correct reading of the character 獺 is “kawauso.” This kanji refers to the otter, a mammal that lives in rivers and has a body adapted to an aquatic lifestyle; because of its cute appearance, it is often described with affection.