Kanji

💡 Break 情 down and you get 忄 (heart / feeling) — a heart standing upright at the left, and beside it 青 (blue / green) — the clear blue of water and sky. Picture a heart with a heartbeat pulse line running through it, put 情 inside it, and let that scene stand for "emotion" — emotion / circumstances. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Break 投 down and you get 扌 (hand) — a hand reaching in from the left, and beside it 殳 (action / tool) — a hand swinging a tool. Picture a hand winding back and releasing a ball mid-throw, arm following through, put 投 inside it, and let that scene stand for "throw" — throw / invest. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 示 is the picture: something raised up where everyone can see it. Set it against a speaker's podium standing on a small stage and the shape carries its meaning, "show / indicate", with it.

💡 Break 変 down and you get 亦 (also / likewise) — a figure with a matching mark tucked under each arm, and beside it 夂 (walk slowly) — a foot trailing behind the one in front. Picture two people standing side by side, put 変 inside it, and let that scene stand for "change" — change / strange. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Break 打 down and you get 扌 (hand) — a hand reaching in from the left, and beside it 丁 (nail / town block) — a nail seen from the side, its head flat above a straight shaft. Picture a single hand cupped sideways as if scooping something up, put 打 inside it, and let that scene stand for "hit" — hit. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Break 直 down and you get 十 (ten / cross) — two lines crossing at the centre, and beside it 目 (eye) — an eye stood on its end, pupil lines inside. Picture counting beads above a counting board, put 直 inside it, and let that scene stand for "direct" — direct / fix. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Break 両 down and you get 一 (one / a line) — a single line, the very first mark, and beside it 冂 (enclosure) — an open-bottomed frame around the middle. Picture tally marks counted off in groups of five, put 両 inside it, and let that scene stand for "both" — both. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Picture a signpost standing fixed at a crossing: that is what 式 means — ceremony / formula. Now find the part that anchors it in the character itself, 弋 (stake / marker) — a stake driven into the ground with a small flag caught at an angle, and beside it 工 (craft / work) — a carpenter's tool held level. Drop that part into the picture and the shape stops being something separate to memorise.

💡 Break 確 down and you get 石 (stone) — a rock sitting at the foot of a cliff, and beside it 寉 (sheltered bird) — a short-tailed bird tucked in under a low cover. Picture a large stone, put 確 inside it, and let that scene stand for "certain" — certain / confirm. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Break 果 down and you get 田 (rice field) — a field cut into four plots by its paths, and beside it 木 (tree / wood) — a tree with branches reaching up and roots spreading down. Picture a rice field divided into four plots by its paths, put 果 inside it, and let that scene stand for "fruit" — fruit / result. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Break 容 down and you get 宀 (roof) — a roof stretched over the whole house, and beside it 谷 (valley) — two slopes falling away to a narrow gap between them. Picture a deep overhanging eave carried on two posts with its rafter ends showing, put 容 inside it, and let that scene stand for "contain" — contain / form. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Break 必 down and you get 心 (heart / feeling) — a heart, the seat of how you feel, and beside it 丿 (sweeping stroke) — a stroke sweeping down to the left. Picture a heart held inside a cord pulled taut and knotted, tied down so it cannot be done without, put 必 inside it, and let that scene stand for "certainly" — certainly / necessary. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Break 演 down and you get 氵 (water) — three drops of water running down the left edge, and beside it 寅 (tiger (zodiac) / respect) — an arrow held straight and steady beneath a low roof. Picture rain falling from a cloud onto a rippling pond, put 演 inside it, and let that scene stand for "perform" — perform. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Break 歳 down and you get 止 (stop / step) — a footprint pressed into the ground, and beside it 戌 (dog (zodiac) / guard) — a long shaft with one extra notch marked partway down. Picture stepping stones leading forward one pace at a time, put 歳 inside it, and let that scene stand for "years old" — years old. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Picture a figure straining to lift a weight overhead: that is what 争 means — dispute / compete. Now find the part that anchors it in the character itself, 𠂊 (claw / grasping hand) — a hooked stroke curling down like a claw reaching for something below. Drop that part into the picture and the shape stops being something separate to memorise.

💡 Break 談 down and you get 言 (speech / words) — words rising out of an open mouth, and beside it 炎 (blaze / flame) — two flames stacked one above the other, burning twice as bright. Picture a megaphone broadcasting sound waves outward, put 談 inside it, and let that scene stand for "discussion" — discussion. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 能 is the picture: a sturdy, four-legged shape braced and ready to perform. Set it against a figure straining to lift a weight overhead and the shape carries its meaning, "ability", with it.

💡 Break 位 down and you get 亻 (person) — a person standing at the left of the scene, and beside it 立 (stand) — a person standing firmly on the ground. Picture a flag raised high on its pole, put 位 inside it, and let that scene stand for "rank" — rank / position. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Break 置 down and you get 罒 (eye / net) — an eye laid on its side, watching from above, and beside it 直 (straight / fix) — an eye sighting straight down a line. Picture an eye looking straight ahead, put 置 inside it, and let that scene stand for "put" — put / place. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Break 流 down and you get 氵 (water) — three drops of water running down the left edge, and beside it 㐬 (flowing / drifting) — a strand caught mid-stream, swept along and turned by the current. Picture a loose strand caught mid-stream, swirling and swept along by the current, put 流 inside it, and let that scene stand for "flow" — flow / current. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Break 格 down and you get 木 (tree / wood) — a tree with branches reaching up and roots spreading down, and beside it 各 (each) — one foot set down beside a mouth. Picture a tree with a broad green crown, put 格 inside it, and let that scene stand for "status" — status / standard. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Picture a heart-shaped lantern glowing on its string, and set 疑 inside that picture. The scene is the hook: bring it back and 疑 comes with it, meaning "doubt".

💡 Break 過 down and you get 咼 (crooked / pass by) — a mouth turned off to one side, twisted out of its usual line, and beside it ⻌ (road / movement) — a road running along the bottom of the character. Picture a line of footprints running up to a marked stopping point and carrying on well beyond it, put 過 inside it, and let that scene stand for "pass" — pass / exceed / mistake. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Break 局 down and you get 尸 (body / house) — the low roof of a small dwelling, and beside it 句 (phrase / clause) — a mouthful of words folded closed into one wrapped phrase. Picture a house under its roof, put 局 inside it, and let that scene stand for "bureau" — bureau / station. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Break 放 down and you get 方 (direction / way) — a signpost with one arm pointing off, and beside it 攵 (strike / action) — a hand raised to make something happen. Picture a road disappearing through a tunnel cut into a hillside, put 放 inside it, and let that scene stand for "release" — release / broadcast. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Break 常 down and you get 尚 (still / esteemed) — smoke curling up through a little vent in the roof, and beside it 吊 (hang / suspend) — a banner hanging straight down from a crossbar. Picture the same patterned cloth hung out on the line three days running, put 常 inside it, and let that scene stand for "usual" — usual / always. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Picture a page ruled into a ledger table: that is what 状 means — condition / letter. Now find the part that anchors it in the character itself, ⺦ (dog (compressed form)) — a small hooked mark, a dog curled tight into the corner, and beside it 犬 (dog) — a dog with its tail up. Drop that part into the picture and the shape stops being something separate to memorise.

💡 Break 球 down and you get 王 (king / jewel) — a jewel on its stand, and beside it 求 (seek / request) — arms reaching out from every side toward one thing at the centre. Picture a cut jewel catching the light, put 球 inside it, and let that scene stand for "ball" — ball / sphere. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Break 職 down and you get 耳 (ear) — an ear turned towards the sound, and beside it 戠 (mark / distinguish) — a sound cut sharp and clear enough that everyone recognises it. Picture an ear turned towards an incoming sound, put 職 inside it, and let that scene stand for "employment" — employment / job. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Break 与 down and you get 一 (one / a line) — a single line, the very first mark. Picture an abacus with beads slid along its rods, put 与 inside it, and let that scene stand for "give" — give / provide. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Break 供 down and you get 亻 (person) — a person standing at the left of the scene, and beside it 共 (together / provide) — two hands lifting the same load together, evenly matched. Picture a person carrying a box held in both arms, put 供 inside it, and let that scene stand for "offer" — offer / companion. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Picture a page ruled into a ledger table: that is what 役 means — role / duty. Now find the part that anchors it in the character itself, 彳 (step / going) — the left half of a crossroads, where people walk, and beside it 殳 (action / tool) — a hand swinging a tool. Drop that part into the picture and the shape stops being something separate to memorise.

💡 Break 構 down and you get 木 (tree / wood) — a tree with branches reaching up and roots spreading down, and beside it 冓 (interlocking / framework) — crossed beams stacked and interlocked, a frame ready to build on. Picture a tree heavy with ripe fruit among its leaves, put 構 inside it, and let that scene stand for "structure" — structure / mind. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Break 割 down and you get 害 (harm / damage) — a mouth shut in under a roof, marked by cuts along the top, and beside it 刂 (divide / cut) — a straight cut down the right-hand side. Picture a block split cleanly into two halves, put 割 inside it, and let that scene stand for "divide" — divide / rate. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Break 費 down and you get 弗 (not / currency mark) — two strands pulled taut and crossed, straining against each other, and beside it 貝 (shell / money) — a shell, the money people once traded with. Picture a drawstring purse with coins spilling from it, put 費 inside it, and let that scene stand for "expense" — expense. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Break 付 down and you get 亻 (person) — a person standing at the left of the scene, and beside it 寸 (measure / inch) — a hand measuring a short distance. Picture a hand pressing a tag onto a parcel, its fingers spaced like a measuring span, put 付 inside it, and let that scene stand for "attach" — attach. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Break 由 down and you get 田 (rice field) — a field cut into four plots by its paths, and beside it 丨 (vertical line) — a single upright stroke through the middle. Picture a field terraced into steps up a hillside, put 由 inside it, and let that scene stand for "reason" — reason. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Break 難 down and you get 隹 (short-tailed bird) — a small bird perched with its wing folded. Picture a small bird perched with its wing folded, put 難 inside it, and let that scene stand for "difficult" — difficult. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Break 優 down and you get 亻 (person) — a person standing at the left of the scene, and beside it 憂 (worry / grief) — a bowed head and a heavy heart, dragging each step a little slower. Picture a person carrying a box held in both arms, put 優 inside it, and let that scene stand for "gentle" — gentle / superior. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Break 夫 down and you get 大 (big) — a person stretching both arms out as wide as they go. Picture the plain outline of a person standing, put 夫 inside it, and let that scene stand for "husband" — husband. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Break 妻 down and you get 女 (woman) — a figure kneeling with arms folded. Picture a person bent forward from the waist in a bow, put 妻 inside it, and let that scene stand for "wife" — wife. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Break 収 down and you get 又 (right hand) — a hand closing round something. Picture a hand raking a scatter of coins into one gathered pile, put 収 inside it, and let that scene stand for "income" — income / collect. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Break 断 down and you get 斤 (axe / weight) — a tool that splits a block apart. Picture a cleaver blade cutting straight down through a block, put 断 inside it, and let that scene stand for "refuse" — refuse / cut off. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Break 識 down and you get 言 (speech / words) — words rising out of an open mouth, and beside it 戠 (mark / distinguish) — a sound cut sharp and clear enough that everyone recognises it. Picture a megaphone broadcasting sound waves outward, put 識 inside it, and let that scene stand for "knowledge" — knowledge / discriminate. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Break 案 down and you get 安 (peaceful / safe) — a figure settled calm and safe under a steady roof, and beside it 木 (tree / wood) — a tree with branches reaching up and roots spreading down. Picture rows of curved roof tiles overlapping down from the ridge, put 案 inside it, and let that scene stand for "plan" — plan / proposal. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Break 差 down and you get 羊 (sheep) — a sheep seen head-on, horns curling out. Picture two stalks cut to two clearly different lengths, put 差 inside it, and let that scene stand for "difference" — difference. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Break 義 down and you get 羊 (sheep) — a sheep seen head-on, horns curling out, and beside it 我 (I / myself) — a hand gripping something close, claimed firmly as one's own. Picture a four-legged animal standing in profile, put 義 inside it, and let that scene stand for "righteousness" — righteousness / meaning. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

💡 Picture an overhanging cliff with shelter beneath it: that is what 険 means — steep / dangerous. Now find the part that anchors it in the character itself, ⻖ (hill / mound) — a terraced hill climbing at the left, and beside it 㑒 (gathered together) — several small figures huddled close together under one line. Drop that part into the picture and the shape stops being something separate to memorise.

💡 Picture a document marked with an official stamp: that is what 営 means — manage / operate. Now find the part that anchors it in the character itself, 呂 (spine / linked segments) — two matching blocks stacked and linked, one directly under the other. Drop that part into the picture and the shape stops being something separate to memorise.

💡 Break 迷 down and you get 米 (rice) — grains of rice scattered from the stalk, and beside it ⻌ (road / movement) — a road running along the bottom of the character. Picture a road arching over a bridge across water, put 迷 inside it, and let that scene stand for "be lost" — be lost / hesitate. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.