[For Seniors] How many can you read? A kanji quiz of familiar things that look readable but aren’t

Social worker / Care workermoko
My name is Moko, a mother of three who admired my mother and worked in the care industry as a care worker and as a medical social worker (MSW) in a hospital. I will be drawing on my previous experience to write mainly about caregiving. Thank you in advance.

There are many kanji that we’ve been familiar with since ancient times yet, surprisingly, can’t quite read or write even though they look familiar.

Even everyday items like “燐寸 (match),” “案山子 (scarecrow),” and “束子 (scrubbing brush)” can be baffling when written in kanji.

How about enjoying a reading quiz that gathers nostalgic kanji and words to stimulate the brain together with older adults and spark lively conversation? You’re sure to hear exclamations of surprise at the unexpected readings.

Once you’ve mastered how to read them, it’s also great practice to try writing them!

[For Seniors] How many can you read? A kanji quiz on everyday things that look readable but aren’t (11–20)

slug

See the answer

slug

“蛞蝓” is read as “namekuji,” meaning slug. It’s a mollusk without a shell, like a snail, and in Japan it’s often seen during the rainy season or in damp places. The kanji came from China and is famous as a difficult-to-read character. Along with “蝸牛” (katatsumuri, snail), it’s one of the characters that even older people often mistake.

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moko