非 injustice / mistake

HE's crying because of the injustice

Usually the textbooks say to think of this as two streams of tears running down a face. Works for me.

absolutely! ★★★★☆ 1/2 KANA
是 (fer shure) + 非 (injustice / mistake) = 是非 (absolutely!)

this has 2 meanings:

1) in casual conversation, starting a sentence with 'zehi' means, 'Absolutely!' 'I'll get it done by hook or by crook!' - also, you'll hear 'ぜひおねがいします！' a lot, which means 'Thanks in advance for this favor.' . . . .

2) the propriety or morality of a certain course of action ( the kanji themselves translate to 'right + injustice').

emergency ★★★★☆
非 (injustice / mistake) + 常 (usual) = 非常 (emergency)

emergency. This is the word on all the emergency exits and emergency firehoses. But you'd never say "I'm having an 非常！”

exceedingly xxx ★★★☆☆
非 (injustice / mistake) + 常 (usual) = 非常 (exceedingly xxx)

in an emergency? No! That would be too simple. ひじょうに means, exceedingly or extremely.

no xxx ★☆☆☆☆ PRE

PREFIX meaning 'without xxx' Usually words use the 不 or 無　 prefixes, but occasionally you'll see a 非-word, like 非常識　（ひじょうしき）　(no common sense) 非対称的　（ひたいしょうてき）(asymmetrical).

I guess if 不 is like 'un-' and 無 is like 'without-', then '非-' is like 'no-'!!