Homonyms (similar-sounding words) in Japanese

[yamasaaaki har har]

While studying Japanese, you might notice there are a lot of words that sound exactly alike, but mean something totally different. Take for example:

shi = town
shi = four
shi = poem, verse
shi = death
shi = Mr.

san = three
san = Mr. / Mrs.
san = acid
san = crosspiece, frame, bolt

kami = hair
kami = paper
kami = god

kanji = Chinese characters used in Japanese
kanji = sense, feeling, impression

kaeru = to return
kaeru = to alter, to change
kaeru = to hatch
kaeru = frog


Confusing, eh? I think this is true for every language, though, especially Asian languages.

[yamasaaaki har har]

More multi-meaning words to torment you with:

ch� = trillion
ch�- = ultra-, super-, over-
ch� = government agency
ch� = intestine

shu = Lord
shu = species

tsuku = to arrive
tsuku = to be ignited / turned on
tsuku = to adhere, stick
tsuku = to push
tsuku = to start
tsuku = to be inaugurated / enthroned

tako = callus
tako = kite
tako = octopus

kiru = to wear (clothes)
kiru = to cut

hai = yes
hai = ash
hai = lung


(the ^ over the o in ch� means that the "oh" sound is held out slightly longer)

[yamasaaaki har har]

h�ki = broom
h�ki = law, regulation
h�ki suru = to give up, renounce

furi = appearance
furi (na) = unfavorable

shiru = to know
shiru = soup; juice

t�shi = investment
t�shi = activist
t�shi = fighting spirit

[charl]

at least they don't have any words like wound, read or lead...or do they?

[yamasaaaki har har]

The good thing is that each of those same-sounding words in Japanese are written with different characters. I bet for a native speaker it must be easier to read than to listen.

One problem is that the names "Yamasaki" and "Yamazaki" are written the exact same way in kanji characters, so because of that I have two slightly different fake names. I prefer Yamasaki with an "S," but my Japanese friends prefer Yamazaki with a "Z."