*Please note that in addition to the kanji listed below, other kanji and kanji compounds of a similar degree of difficulty may be included during the competition.

Specific terms that may appear in kanji-related questions:

1. おんよみ：The on’yomi of a kanji is the modern descendant of the Japanese approximation of the Chinese pronunciation of the character at the time it was introduced. It is often used with the kanji compounds.

   • Example: 「ちゅう」is the on’yomi for 「中」

2. くんよみ：The kun’yomi of a kanji is a reading based on the pronunciation of a native Japanese word that closely approximated the meaning of the Chinese character when it was introduced. There can be multiple kun readings for the same kanji, and some kanji have no kun’yomi.

   • Example: 「なか」is the kun’yomi for 「中」

*Level 2 competitors should know the following kanji, kanji compounds, and common words associated with each in addition to the kanji listed for Level 1

Level 2 Kanji

半　毎　曜　週　年　今　来　行

人　出　食　飲　話　聞　書　見

会　帰　男　女　私　名　好　国

語　町　元　正　休　近　遠　暗

空　力　多　少　言　牛　買　読

売　寺　字　前　後　間　火　水

木　金　土　車　洗　早　友　体

天　気　雨　雪　犬　明　手　足

魚　子

Level 2 Sample Compounds

今週（こんしゅう）・　木曜日（もくようび）・　外国語（がいこくご）

帰国（きこく）・　遠足（えんそく）・　空気（くうき）

会話（かいわ）・時間（じかん）・読書（どくしょ）

午後（ごご）・　体力（たいりょく）

Level 2 Sample Words

明（あか）るい・　入（はい）る・　多（おお）い・　間（あいだ）

後（うし）ろ・　正（ただ）しい・　売（う）る・　お金（かね）

近（ちか）い・　洗（あら）う・　体（からだ）・　早（はや）く

出（だ）す・　少（すこ）し

Level 2 Place Names

Major Japanese Cities

東京（とうきょう）・　京都（きょうと）・　大阪（おおさか）

横浜（よこはま）・　名古屋（なごや）

Major Japanese Islands

本州（ほんしゅう）・　九州（きゅうしゅう）・　四国（しこく）

北海道（ほっかいどう）

Major Oceans ＆ Seas

太平洋（たいへいよう）・　日本海（にほんかい）

Level 2 competitors should know the below idiomatic expressions often used in Japanese language in addition to the idiomatic expressions for Level 1.

1. くびをながくする

   Literal Meaning: to lengthen one’s neck

   To eagerly look forward

   • Ex. さむいふゆがおわり、はるが来るのをくびをながくしてまつ

   • I'm eagerly looking forward to spring after cold winter.

2. あたまにくる

   Literal Meaning: something comes to one’s head

   To get mad; to lose your cool

   • Ex. しん友にうそをつかれて、あたまにくる。

   • I get mad because my best friend lied to me.

3. 口がかるい

   Literal Meaning: one’s mouth is light

   Having a loose tongue; being talkative; speaking without thinking

   • Ex. かれは口がかるいから、言わないほうがいい。

   • Don't tell him. He's got a loose tongue.

4. 水にながす

   Literal Meaning: let flow in the water

   To forgive and forget

   • Ex. あなたはあやまりましたし、私はゆるした。だからこのことは水にながそう。

   • You apologized to me and I forgave you, So let’s forget about the thing in the past.

Level 2 will focus on Gisei-go, which are sounds made by animals and humans, although we will focus on sounds made by humans since animal sounds are covered in the katakana section. Questions can include the examples below and other words in these categories.

1. Being lectured or nagged by a superior: ガミガミ

2. A cheerful, loud laugh: アハハ

3. A child crying loudly: ウワ－ン

4. A surprised scream or shriek: ウギャー

5. Chuckling like you have a secret: ウフフ

6. Chatting about frivolous things: ペチャクチャ

7. Muttering so other people can't hear you: ゴニョゴニョ

8. Speaking a foreign language fluently: ペラペラ

9. Clearing your throat for attention: オッホン

10. Laughing quietly, unable to hold it in: クスクス

All competitors should know various animal sounds. These can be written in either hiragana or katakana, but katakana is more widely used. Examples are given below.

Roar (Lion) = ガオー

Buzz (Bee) = ブーン

Tweet (Bird) = チュンチュン

Meow (Cat) = ニャーニャー

Moo (Cow) = モーモー

Caw (Crow) = カーカー

Woof (Dog) = ワンワン

Quack (Duck) = ガーガー

Fox sound = コンコン

Ribbit (Frog) = ケロケロ

Neigh (Horse) = ヒヒーン

Oo oo aa aa (Monkey) = ウッキー

Squeak (Mouse) = チューチュー

Hoo (Owl) = ホーホー

Oink (Pig) = ブーブー

Cock-a-doodle-doo (Rooster) = コケコッコー

Baa (Sheep) = メーメー

Level 2 competitors should know longer katakana words in addition to shorter ones expected at Level 1. Some examples are given below.

スパゲッティ　・　spaghetti

ハンバーガー　・　hamburger

アイスクリーム　・　ice cream

バスケットボール　・　basketball

(インター)ネット　・　internet

ケチャップ　・　ketchup

チョコレート　・　chocolate

バドミントン　・　badminton

Below are the given categories and topics for 2024. Helpful resources are listed for each sub-category.

Events, Art & Culture from the Showa Era: Competitors should know major events, figures, cultural discoveries, literature, art, etc.

Geography: Eight main regions of Japan

Society & Daily Life: Aisatsu (greetings), national celebrations, public holidays, annual events, etc.

Popular Culture: Anime, manga, movies, pop stars, movie stars & famous sports figures

• Kimura Website

Current Events: Events in Japanese politics, society, economics, and international relations from the past 6 months

• The Japan Times Website

Other Useful Websites:

• Kids Web Japan Website

Click here for Level 2 Grammar Accuracy Study Guide