Japanese Meaning Match
Match the displayed Japanese form with its meaning. When a name's meaning depends on kanji, the kanji is shown so the puzzle never asks you to guess a meaning from pronunciation alone.
How to play
Each left tile shows a romanization, kana and kanji where relevant. Each right tile shows one meaning. Select one from each side to make a pair. Correct pairs lock; incorrect pairs count as a mistake.
What this puzzle teaches or tests
Japanese names can change meaning with kanji. This game reinforces that the written form, not just the pronunciation, determines the meaning. The related guides explain each entry in detail.
Read the complete Japanese entry
Each tile presents a romanized reading together with kana and kanji. Match it to the English sense shown on the companion tile. The written form matters: the same spoken reading can have different meanings when different characters are chosen, so the game does not treat pronunciation as a complete definition.
The pool also separates transparent vocabulary, such as words for light or night, from forms that are used as personal names. After a round, visit the Japanese guides to see fuller spelling notes, usage cautions and the difference between a literal word and a symbolic naming connection.
Romanization is included as a reading aid, not as a substitute for Japanese writing. Look at the kana and kanji together before choosing. A perfect round means every displayed written form was paired with the sense used in the site’s reviewed data set.
Some tiles are ordinary Japanese words and others may also be used as names. That category is deliberately visible in the supporting articles. A match confirms the meaning of the exact displayed form; it does not claim that every person with the same romanized pronunciation uses those characters.
Privacy and accessibility
The puzzle runs in your browser. Keyboard players can move through controls with Tab and activate tiles with Enter or Space. Results are announced in the status area, and reduced-motion settings are respected. Game progress may be stored locally, as described on the Cookies & Local Storage page.