[For Seniors] Where Do You Break It? Liven Things Up with a Fun Word-Splitting Quiz

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.

“Tōryūmon,” “Sei Shōnagon,” “helicopter”…

Even words we use without thinking can be surprisingly tricky when you stop to consider where the proper breaks are.

Quizzes about where to split words can spark curiosity about their origins and etymology, and they’re also fun brain teasers.

In this article, we present word-splitting quizzes—focused on terms familiar to older adults—that will make you think, “Aha, that makes sense!” We’ve gathered words that are especially often misunderstood, so you’re sure to encounter surprises and delights.

Try pondering them together with family or friends and rediscover the fun of language.

[For Seniors] Where do you break it? Let's have fun with a word-segmentation quiz (11–20)

ringleader

Harimoto Hito
Zhang (the person themself)
Zhang, Moto, Jin

See the answer

Harimoto Hito

“張本人” (chōhonin) means “the person responsible for causing an incident” or “the ringleader.” It breaks down into “張本” and “人,” where “張本” refers to the core or cause of something, and “人” simply means “person.” Therefore, the correct segmentation is “張本・人.” Segmentations like “張・本人” or “張・本・人” do not make sense. Since this term is often used in news reports, it’s good to remember the correct segmentation.

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moko

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In conclusion

When you learn how to segment words correctly, their origins and meanings sink naturally into your heart.

The “Where to Split?” quiz not only serves as mental exercise for older adults, but also sparks new discoveries about language and evokes nostalgic memories.

I hope it comes to mind in everyday conversations and brings a bit of enjoyment.