[Day 14] 耳 - ear
Days 11-20
R-report
[Day 14] 耳 - ear
Ear (耳) is originally a pictograph of a human ear and is used in words about hearing, ears, and related objects or conditions. In everyday Japanese you'll see it in words for the body part (みみ), in medical terms (耳鼻科), and in items like earmuffs. Readings: On'yomi and Kun'yomi are used differently — On'yomi appears in compound words, Kun'yomi for the standalone noun. Mnemonic tip: imagine the kanji as a simplified side view of an ear with inner lines showing folds — that helps you remember both shape and meaning.
Readings
On'yomi: **ジ, ニ (ji, ni)** Kun'yomi: **みみ (耳) (mimi)**
Related words
- 耳（みみ / mimi） — ear - 彼は猫のように**耳**がいい。 (Kare wa neko no you ni mimi ga ii. — He has very good hearing, like a cat.)
- 耳鼻科（じびか / jibika） — ENT clinic (ear, nose & throat) - 風邪をひいたので、**耳鼻科**に行きました。 (Kaze o hiita node, jibika ni ikimashita. — Because I caught a cold, I went to the ENT clinic.)
- 耳鳴り（みみなり / miminari） — ringing in the ears (tinnitus) - 昨日から**耳鳴り**がする。 (Kinō kara miminari ga suru. — I've had ringing in my ears since yesterday.)
- 耳当て（みみあて / mimiate） — earmuffs - 冬は**耳当て**をして外に出ます。 (Fuyu wa mimiate o shite soto ni demasu. — I wear earmuffs when I go outside in winter.)
- 耳掃除（みみそうじ / mimi souji） — ear cleaning - シャワーの後に**耳掃除**をします。 (Shawā no ato ni mimi souji o shimasu. — I clean my ears after a shower.)