Should I memorize Kanji readings?


I'm almost done with recommended vocabulary and Kanjis for JPLT N5, also
finishing up Genki 1. The most time consuming so far is memorizing Kanji
readings (not all of them of course, but those that used in vocabulary list
that I have). And I've been thinking to stop trying to memorize those readings
and just stick with meanings and stoke order. And then just memorize how
vocabulary that I already know is using those kanji and since I already know
the reading of those words I would also know how to pronounce separate kanji.
At the moment I'm still self studying so my routine is trial and error and I
wouldn't want waste any time on kanji readings if there's a better way to
memorize them.




Ultimately you will have to remember at least the Kunyomi (Japanese) readings.
You can skip the Onyomi (Chinese) pronunciation for some time because those
are important to pronouncing other compounded Kanji characters in which the
Kanji you are remembering appears.

If I may, I wish to share that I have taken up a challenging project to help
Kanji learners. This is to create a resource to help in quickly remembering
Kanji. I have started one article per Kanji, including the origin and most
importantly mnemonics. These mnemonics may not relate to the origin of the
kanji but to help in remembering these beautiful characters. This is a free
resource, and I just wanted to share in case it helps. You can check the
article **[How to Learn Kanji Fast](https://www.ejable.com/japan-
corner/remembering-kanji/how-to-remember-kanji-origin-of-shapes-of-kanji/)**
on EJable.com.

You will find **a table at the bottom with the list of Kanjis** which I have
covered till now. My intention is to write about one Kanji every day, **and as
soon as I write a new article, I add that Kanji to the table in the mentioned
article**.

On the same site, there is an article about the **51 most common Kanji
radicals. It will also help to remember these radicals because they are part
of 2136 Kanji** characters.

