ゆう子です、よろしくね。Hi, this is Yuko. - Kanji and Practice Activities

A shiba inu (a Japanese dog breed) stands with a leash on a cobble street In this lesson, we'll wrap up our exploration of Yuko's introduction by looking at two new kanji. Take notes as you go over the new material.

Clarify any questions you might have by contacting your instructor.

Kanji

Let's explore two new kanji: 子 and 犬.

Remember from our review of kanji previously, it’s better to learn kanji in words rather than isolating one kanji because they change the reading (sounds) depending on how they are used.

**Two New Kanji with Reading Examples**
Kanji	Base Meaning	Example 1	Example 2	Example 3
子	こ child	子どもこども = child/children	ゆう子ゆうこ = Yuuko (*Yuko)	良子よしこ = Yoshiko
犬	いぬ dog	しば犬しばいぬ = Shiba dog (Shiba Inu)	N/A	N/A

*Note: Yuuko is conventionally spelled Yuko. We see a similar shortening of double vowels in the common spelling of Tokyo (properly tookyoo).

子 is frequently used at the end of a girl’s name, as you see Ayako (あや子 ), Yukiko (ゆき子 ), Junko (じゅん子 ). However, there are many names without 子. Examples：さくら、ひかる、ちえ、さやか、はるみ、よしえ、ゆみ, れいな、etc.

The following image will help you learn the proper method for writing these kanji. Please practice, even if it is just with your finger, to write these new kanji. After practicing with your finger a few times, try to write them in your notebook using the proper strokes.

A series of images show the proper order to create the kanji 子 and 犬

Yuko Final Review

Download an annotated copy of the Yuko's Introduction text and review it carefully before moving on.

You have registered new knowledge to prior knowledge. Now you will enter it into your mind as rote memories and then promote it to your working knowledge.

New Materials - Rote Memory - Working Knowledge

Read aloud (motor + auditory), highlight (motor + visual) the ones you miss repeatedly in your notebook, and use your finger and practice writing in air (motor).

Complete the following exercises to become familiar with the new material.

Exercise 1: Vocabulary

Directions: When you see the words in Japanese, listen to the recorded sounds and you repeat the reading each aloud. Think of the meaning in English and click to see if you are correct. In your notebook, you spell out the words you missed and write the meanings of them. This will become your personalized ‘handout.’ Review your notebook, read the words aloud, and practice writing them to relearn.

Read the words out loud and click to check their meaning.

Exercise 2: Complete the Sentence

Directions: Below is a set of Japanese sentences with one word/phrase missing. Select the most appropriate word(s) to match the English sentence.

You can also listen to each sentence in Japanese. Be sure to attempt reading the sentences for yourself as well.

Final Thoughts: Yuko's Note

The point of this lesson is how to talk about yourself in more detail. Lesson 3 (Yuko) showed more expressions, grammar points, and culture information which you built up on your prior knowledge in Lessons 1 (review) and 2 (Daigo). Now, you should be able to talk about your school, school schedule, your family, school subjects, your daily routine, more about your preferences, sports, and read more kanji.

At this point, do not hesitate to ask your teacher any questions. It’s YOU – a learner agent - who takes the initiative in your learning to build a firm understanding.

[CC BY-NC-SA 4.0] UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED | IMAGES: LICENSED AND USED ACCORDING TO TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION - INTENDED ONLY FOR USE WITHIN THE LESSON.