13 Japanese Homophones: Same sound, different writing and meaning!

Homophones in Japanese can be confusing because you have to make the correct decision on which kanji to use, depending on the meaning! If you’re unfamiliar with what homophone means, it is a word that is pronounced the same way but has different meanings. In English, an example is “two” and “to.” 

You might notice that many of these words have similar meanings with only slight differences. Japanese people like to create nuance with the written kanji to convey and add depth to the text. You’ll be able to appreciate the use of these homophones most often in writing.

Here is a list of 13 Japanese homophones you might encounter. I put together this list with a particular emphasis on making sure they are exact homophones. This means that even the accentuation of the words is the same. Listen to each audio clip to also learn how to say them. 

Note that this isn’t a complete list, and you may discover more as you go! 

1. Ryoushi 

What makes these two words different is the first kanji character for fisherman and hunter. 漁 means “to fish,” and 猟 means “to hunt.”  The second kanji character 師 is the same for both words and means master, mentor, or teacher. 

漁師 – Fisherman
漁師りょうしは毎日まいにち船ふねに乗のらないといけない。
Roushi wa mainichi fune ni noranai to ikenai.
Fishermen must go on a boat every day.

猟師 – Hunter
森もりに猟師りょうしがいた。
Mori ni ryoushi ga ita.
There was a hunter in the forest.

2. Kaishin 

With the two ways of writing kaishin, there are incredibly different meanings. The first one, which means satisfaction, uses the kanji “to meet” and “heart.” The second uses the kanji for “revision” and “heart.” 

会心 – Satisfaction
学校がっこうで出会であった友達ともだちは会心かいしんの友とも。
Gakkou de deatta tomodachi wa kaishin no tomo.
The friends I got to know at school are satisfying friendships.

改心 – Change of heart
今年ことしは改心かいしんして日本語にほんごの勉強べんきょうをする。
Kotoshi wa kaishin shite nihongo no benkyou o suru.
This year I will have a change of heart(reform my study habits) and study Japanese.

3. Kagaku

A very confusing homophone is these two words for kagaku. Both appear in scientific contexts, but 科学 means science and 化学 mean chemistry.  

科学 – Science
科学かがくに興味きょうみがある。
Kagaku ni kyoumi ga aru.
I have an interest in science.

化学 – Chemistry
化学かがく反応はんのうを研究けんきゅうしている。
Kagaku hannou o kenkyuu shite iru.
I am studying chemical reactions.

4. Taishou 

This homophone can be three very different things. The first is to be a “subject of,” the second is to “contrast/compare,” and the third can mean “symmetry.” 

対象 – the subject of (something)
大統領だいとうりょうは批判ひはんの対象たいしょうになってしまった。
Daitouryou wa hihan no taishou ni natte shimatta.
The president became the subject of criticism.

対照 – contrast or compare
二ふたつの味あじを対照たいしょうする。
Futatsu no aji o taishou suru.
I compare the two flavors.

対称 – symmetry
この建物たてものは対称的たいしょうてきです。
Kono tatemono wa taishou teki desu.
This building is symmetrical.

5. Seikaku

The two words for seikaku are common words that you’ll hear in everyday Japanese. Study the kanji to know which one to use when writing.

性格 – personality
彼かれは性格せいかくが悪わるい。
Kare wa seikaku ga warui.
He has a bad personality.

正確 – accurate
正確せいかくな時間じかんが知しりたい。
Seikaku na jikan ga shiritai.
I want to know the precise time.

6. Kousei

“Kousei” can have many ways of writing that all mean different things! The example sentences should help you to understand how to use each one.

校正 – proofread
この本ほんは校正こうせいの間違まちがえがたくさんある。
Kono hon wa kousei no machigae ga takusan aru.
This book has many proofreading mistakes.

公正 – justice
公正こうせいな裁判さいばんが行おこなわれることを願ねがっています。
Kousei na saiban ga okonawareru koto o negatte imasu.
I hope that the trial will be held judiciously.

構成 – organization
作文さくぶんを書かく時ときには文ぶんの構成こうせいをよく考かんがえた方ほうがいい。
Sakubun o kaku toki ni wa bun no kousei o yoku kangaeta hou ga ii.
When you write an essay, you should think about the organization of your writing.

厚生 – public benefit
この町まちにはたくさんの更生こうせい施設しせつがあります。
Kono machi ni wa takusan no kousei shisetsu ga arimasu.
This town has many public benefit facilities.

攻勢 – aggression/offensive
彼かれはチェスが強つよいのでいつも攻勢こうせいに出でている。
Kare wa chesu ga tsuyoinode itsumo kousei ni deteiru.
He is good at chess, so he is always on the offensive.

更生 – reform (person)
彼かれはアルコール中毒ちゅうどくだったが自力じりきで更生こうせいした。
Kare wa arukooru chuudoku datta ga jiriki de kousei shita.
He had an alcohol addiction, but he overcame it by himself.

7. Kaitou

These Japanese homophones have two similar meanings but apply to different contexts. The first is more of an answer/reply to questions like a survey, and the second is an answer for problems you solve, like in a test.

回答 – an answer that is a reply
ご回答かいとうありがとうございます。
Gokaitou arigatougozaimasu.
Thank you for your reply(answer).

解答 – an answer to a problem you solve
テストの解答かいとうが見みたいです。
Tesuto no kaitou ga mitai desu.
I want to see the test answers.

8. Kaihou

Like some other homophones, kaihou has similar meanings but should be written differently depending on the context. Both mean something is opening or let out. 

解放 – set free, emancipation
人質ひとじちを解放かいとうしました。
Hitojichi o kaihou shimashita.
The hostages were set free.

開放 – open up (to the public)
新あたらしい施設しせつが開放かいほうする。
Atarashii shisetsu ga kaihou suru.
The new facility will open up to the public.

9. Au

Au has two kanji that look very similar! However, these Japanese homophones have very different meanings.

会う – to meet
友達ともだちに会あいに行いきます。
Tomodachi ni ai ni ikimasu.
I will go meet my friend.

合う – to fit
その洋服ようふくがとても似合にあう。
Sono youfuku ga totemo niau.
Those clothes suit you well.

10. Hakaru

The primary definition you’ll find with hakaru is “to measure.” However, it’s essential to differentiate between measuring weight, dimensions, or time in Japanese. An additional meaning to hakaru is “to devise” or “to plan,” which also uses its unique kanji character.

図る – to plan/devise
事件じけんの解決かいけつを図はかる。
Jiken no kaiketsu o hakaru.
We are devising the solution to the case.

量る – to measure weight
体重たいじゅうを量はかる。
Taijuu o hakaru
I measure my weight.

測る – to measure length, width, depth, or area
テーブルの長ながさを測はかる。
Teeburu no nagasa o hakaru.
I measure the length of the table.

計る – to measure time
時間じかんを計はかる。
Jikan o hakaru.
I measure the time.

11. Yoi

These two kanji both mean“good.” However, because 好い is made up of the kanji characters for “woman,” 女, and “child,” 子, there is a warmer tone. In comparison, 良い is the standard way of saying “good.” 

良い – good
評判ひょうばんが良よい。
Hyouban ga yoi.
The reputation is good.

好い – good (warm nuance)
天気てんきが好よい。
Tenki ga yoi.
The weather is good.

12. Tsukuru

The three versions of “tsukuru” mean “to make” but have different usages. 作る means to make something from small or shapeless objects like a seed growing into a vegetable. 造る applies to creating something that is physically big, like a building. The third one, 創る, is when you’re making something significant like the “future,” “artwork,” or “a better tomorrow.” 

作る – make (from small or shapeless object)
野菜やさいを作つくるのが好すきです。
Yasai o tsukuru no ga suki desu.
I like to grow (make) vegetables.

造る – make (something big)
自分じぶんで庭園ていえんを造つくりたいです。
Jibun de teien o tsukuritai desu.
I want to make a garden by myself.

創る – make (from nothing, meaningful)
素晴すばらしい芸術げいじゅつを創つくりたいです。
Subarashii geijutsu o tsukuritai desu.
I want to make beautiful art.

13. Susumeru

Susumeru can have many meanings, from moving forward to recommending and persuading. The best way to learn them is by looking at the examples!

進める – to move forward, progress
プロジェクトの計画けいかくを進すすめる。
Purojekuto no keikaku o susumeru.
The project plan is moving forward.

勧める – to recommend an action
あのレストランで食たべるのを勧すすめる。
Ano resutoran de taberu no o susumeru.
I recommend eating at that restaurant.

薦める – to recommend a person or object to someone
山田やまださんを会長かいちょうに薦すすめる。
Yamada san o kaichou ni susumeru.
I recommend Mr. Yamada as the chairperson.

I hope these Japanese homophones gave you a glimpse into how Japanese can be written differently to portray nuances or even different meanings. There are many more than listed here that you’ll discover as you learn Japanese. If you’re interested in more Japanese learning blog content, be sure to check out my other articles like  What is Romaji? or 24 Japanese Animal Sounds or Onomatopoeia! 

~ Tanuki