singlekanji

Singlekanji is a term used in linguistics and Japanese pedagogy to describe kanji characters that can function as complete lexical units on their own, i.e., one-character words. The term is not part of the formal Japanese lexicon, but it is used to discuss a recognizable phenomenon: kanji that carry a full lexical meaning when read with their kun readings and used without accompanying kana or other characters.

These one-character words contrast with jukugo, which are multi-kanji compounds that form single words. The single-kanji lexical items typically express concrete concepts such as water, fire, mountain, tree, metal, earth, and rain. Common examples include 水 (mizu, water), 山 (yama, mountain), 火 (hi, fire), 木 (ki, tree/wood), 金 (kin/kane, metal/money), 土 (tsuchi, earth), 雨 (ame, rain). Each character has a range of readings, but when used as a standalone word in everyday writing, the kun-reading is usually the one applied. The meaning is lexicalized and can be found as an entry in basic dictionaries, though furigana may be supplied for learners.

In modern Japanese, single-kanji words are relatively rare in continuous prose and are more likely to appear in lists, signage, brand names, or didactic materials. Their presence reflects the logographic nature of kanji, where a single character can carry a discrete semantic unit.

See also: Kanji, Kunyomi, Onyomi, Joyo Kanji, Japanese vocabulary.