Library and Everyday Words

Where you go to know things, plus the words you'll reach for daily. 図 + 書 sit at the heart of 図書館 (toshokan, library) — pairing with the 館 you met earlier. Add the question word 何 (nani/nan, what), two everyday verbs 知る (shiru, to know) and 合う (au, to meet/match), and 水 (mizu, water).

図 (ト/ズ) + 書 (ショ, write) = 図書館; 書 also gives 書く (to write). 何 is なに alone but なん before counters (何人, 何時). 知 し.る; 合 あ.う (ゴウ/ガッ in 試合, 合体). 水 is みず, スイ in 水曜日 (Wednesday).