Learn Themed Kanji for Friendship
Practice writing and recognizing kanji about friendship, make illustrated flashcards, learn stroke order, meanings, and share a friendship poster with classmates.
Step-by-step guide to Learn Themed Kanji for Friendship
Step 1
Gather all the Materials Needed and clear a flat workspace to work on.
Step 2
Look at your kanji reference sheet and choose six friendship kanji to learn.
Step 3
On a blank sheet of paper write each chosen kanji with a small space beside it.
Step 4
Next to each kanji write its meaning in your language so you remember what each one means.
Step 5
Trace each kanji three times following the stroke order shown on your reference sheet.
Step 6
Make one blank flashcard for each kanji by cutting index cards or paper to size.
Step 7
Write one kanji neatly on the front of each flashcard using the black marker.
Step 8
On the back of each flashcard write the kanji meaning and the stroke order numbers.
Step 9
Draw a small picture on each flashcard that helps you remember the meaning using coloring materials.
Step 10
Shuffle the flashcards and practice recognition by showing the front and saying the meaning aloud.
Step 11
Choose one kanji and write it five times from memory following the correct stroke order.
Step 12
On a large sheet of paper write a big title at the top that says Friendship Kanji.
Step 13
Glue or tape your flashcards onto the poster in neat rows so each one is easy to read.
Step 14
Explain at least three kanji on your poster to a classmate or family member so you practice speaking about them.
Step 15
Share a photo of your finished friendship poster on DIY.org so others can see your work.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use instead of index cards, a black marker, or coloring materials if we can't find them?
If you don't have index cards, cut printer paper or cereal-box cardstock to size for flashcards, use a dark ballpoint pen or fine-tip permanent marker instead of the black marker, and substitute crayons or colored pencils for other coloring materials when decorating the flashcards and poster.
I'm having trouble keeping the stroke order correct when tracing and writing from memory—what should I do?
Slowly trace each kanji three times following the numbered stroke order on your reference sheet, then lightly sketch the kanji in pencil on the flashcard or poster before going over it with the black marker so you can correct mistakes as you complete the 'trace three times' and 'write neatly on the front' steps.
How can we adapt this activity for younger kids (4–6) or older kids (10+)?
For ages 4–6 choose 2–3 simple friendship kanji, make larger flashcards and focus on the memory picture with crayons, while ages 10+ can keep six kanji, add readings and example words on the back, and increase the 'write from memory' step to ten repetitions.
What are easy ways to personalize and extend the finished Friendship Kanji poster?
Personalize by color-coding flashcards with your coloring materials for different meanings, write example sentences or stroke order numbers on the back before you glue the cards in neat rows on the poster, then laminate or take the photo to share on DIY.org for feedback.
Watch videos on how to Learn Themed Kanji for Friendship
Kanji 友 - friend; pal (友), friendship; amicability (友好): Learn Kanji - free Japanese Language study
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Kanji 友 - friend; pal (友), friendship; amicability (友好): Learn Kanji - free Japanese Language study
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Facts about kanji and Japanese writing
✍️ Correct stroke order makes kanji neater, faster to write, and easier for your brain to remember.
🃏 Illustrated flashcards help memory by linking a picture, meaning, and the kanji shape all at once.
🎨 Shodō (Japanese calligraphy) treats kanji as art — people have practiced it for over a thousand years.
🈶 The Jōyō kanji list used in Japanese schools has 2,136 characters — a great long-term goal for learners!
🤝 The kanji for “friend” (友) is simple and appears in many friendship-related words and names.
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