Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Frequency of Use
Frequency Group 17
kanji
蚊Meaning
Mosquito
Reading
ka
Parts
虫Insect 文Sentence
Example Word
蚊: mosquito. The Japanese noun '蚊 (か)' refers to a 'mosquito', a small flying insect known for biting and sucking blood. This word is commonly used in everyday conversation, especially during warmer months when mosquitoes are more prevalent. For example: There are many mosquitoes here「ここには蚊が多い」(ここにはかがおおい). I got bitten by a mosquito「蚊に刺された」(かにさされた). The word '蚊' is straightforward and does not carry additional meanings or nuances beyond its literal definition.
Radical
虫
Stroke Count
10JLPT
N1Grade
9Frequency
1601
Handwriting
kanji
拳Meaning
Fist
Reading
kobushi
onyomiけんken
げんgen
Parts
龹 手Hand
Example Word
拳: fist. The Japanese noun '拳 (こぶし)' refers to a 'fist', the hand when the fingers are tightly closed. It is commonly used in contexts related to physical actions, such as punching or holding something tightly. For example: he clenched his fist「彼は拳を握った」(かれはこぶしをにぎった). She hit the table with her fist「彼女は拳でテーブルを叩いた」(かのじょはこぶしでテーブルをたたいた). The word can also appear in idiomatic expressions or martial arts terminology, emphasizing strength or determination.
Radical
手
Stroke Count
10JLPT
N1Grade
10Frequency
1602
Handwriting
kanji
摘Meaning
Pick, Pluck
Reading
tsu
onyomiてきteki
Parts
扌Hand (手)啇
Example Word
摘む: pluck or pinch. The Japanese verb '摘む (つまむ)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'to pinch,' which refers to gripping something small between the thumb and fingers. For example: she pinched the leaf「彼女は葉を摘んだ」(かのじょははをつまんだ). The second meaning is 'to pluck,' which refers to picking or harvesting something, often used in the context of plants or flowers. For example: he plucked a flower「彼は花を摘んだ」(かれははなをつまんだ). The verb is commonly used in everyday situations, such as handling small objects or gathering produce. Note that the nuance of the action depends on the context, but it generally involves a precise, delicate action with the fingers.
Radical
手
Stroke Count
14JLPT
N1Grade
7Frequency
1604
Handwriting
kanji
刷Meaning
Printing
Reading
su
onyomiさつsatsu
Parts
尸Corpse 巾Towel 刂Sword (刀)
Example Word
印刷: printing. The Japanese verbal noun '印刷 (いんさつ)' means 'printing'. It refers to the process of producing text and images, typically with ink on paper, using a printing press or other methods. This term is commonly used in contexts related to publishing, office work, and manufacturing. For example: I will do the printing tomorrow「明日印刷をします」(あしたいんさつをします). This book is out of print「この本は絶版です」(このほんはぜっぱんです). Note that '印刷' can also be used in compound words, such as '印刷機 (いんさつき)' (printing machine) or '印刷物 (いんさつぶつ)' (printed matter).
Radical
刀
Stroke Count
8JLPT
N2Grade
4Frequency
1605
Handwriting
kanji
漠Meaning
Vague, Desert
Reading
baku
Parts
氵Water (水)艹Grass 日Day, Sun 大Big
Example Word
砂漠: desert. The Japanese noun '砂漠 (さばく)' means 'desert'. It refers to a barren area of land where little precipitation occurs, making it difficult for plants and animals to survive. This word is used to describe both natural deserts and metaphorical situations that feel barren or lifeless. For example: The Sahara is a vast desert「サハラは広大な砂漠です」(サハラはこうだいなさばくです). His heart felt like a desert「彼の心は砂漠のようだった」(かれのこころはさばくのようだった). The word can also be used in compound nouns, such as '砂漠地帯 (さばくちたい)' meaning 'desert region'.
Radical
水
Stroke Count
13JLPT
N1Grade
9Frequency
1608
Handwriting
kanji
冒Meaning
Risk
Reading
oka
onyomiぼうbou
Parts
日Day, Sun 目Eye
Example Word
冒険: adventure. The Japanese verbal noun '冒険 (ぼうけん)' means 'adventure'. It refers to an exciting or unusual experience, often involving risk or danger. This word is commonly used to describe activities or journeys that are thrilling and out of the ordinary. For example: I love adventure「私は冒険が大好きです」(わたしはぼうけんがだいすきです). They went on an adventure「彼らは冒険に出かけました」(かれらはぼうけんにでかけました). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe taking risks in life or business, as in '人生の冒険 (じんせいのぼうけん) (the adventure of life)'.
Radical
冂
Stroke Count
9JLPT
N1Grade
7Frequency
1610
Handwriting
kanji
浸Meaning
Soak, Immersed
Reading
hita
onyomiしんshin
Parts
氵Water (水)冖Crown 又Again ⺕Hand
Example Word
浸かる: soak. The Japanese verb '浸かる (つかる)' means 'to soak' or 'to be immersed'. It is commonly used to describe the action of soaking in a liquid, such as water, often for relaxation or cleaning purposes. For example: I soaked in the hot spring「温泉に浸かった」(おんせんにつかった). The laundry is soaking in the water「洗濯物が水に浸かっている」(せんたくものがみずにつかっている). This verb can also imply being deeply involved or absorbed in something, such as a state of mind or an activity, though this usage is less common. For example: He is immersed in his work「彼は仕事に浸かっている」(かれはしごとにつかっている).
Radical
水
Stroke Count
10JLPT
N1Grade
7Frequency
1612
Handwriting
kanji
厄Meaning
Misfortune, Unlucky
Reading
yaku
Parts
厂Cliff 㔾
Example Word
厄介: trouble. The Japanese noun '厄介 (やっかい)' primarily means 'trouble' or 'bother'. It refers to something that is troublesome, inconvenient, or difficult to deal with. This word can be used to describe situations, tasks, or even people who are causing difficulty. For example: He is a troublesome person「彼は厄介な人だ」(かれはやっかいなひとだ). This problem is a real hassle「この問題は本当に厄介だ」(このもんだいはほんとうにやっかいだ). The word can also imply a sense of burden or responsibility, as in taking care of someone who is dependent on you.
Radical
厂
Stroke Count
4JLPT
N1Grade
9Frequency
1613
Handwriting
kanji
凍Meaning
Freeze, Frozen
Reading
koo
こごkogo
onyomiとうtou
Parts
冫Ice (水)東East
Example Word
冷凍: freezing. The Japanese verbal noun '冷凍 (れいとう)' means 'freezing'. It refers to the process of preserving food or other items by lowering their temperature to below freezing point. This term is commonly used in contexts related to food storage, such as in supermarkets or home kitchens. For example: I froze the fish「魚を冷凍した」(さかなをれいとうした). This meat is frozen「この肉は冷凍されている」(このにくはれいとうされている). It's important to note that '冷凍' is often used in compound words, such as '冷凍庫 (れいとうこ) (freezer)' or '冷凍食品 (れいとうしょくひん) (frozen food)'.
Radical
冫
Stroke Count
10JLPT
N2Grade
8Frequency
1616
Handwriting
kanji
籍Meaning
Enroll, Register
Reading
seki
Parts
⺮Bamboo (竹)耤
Example Word
国籍: nationality. The Japanese noun '国籍 (こくせき)' refers to the legal status of belonging to a particular nation or country. It is commonly used in contexts related to citizenship, legal documents, or discussions about one's country of origin. For example: What is your nationality?「あなたの国籍は何ですか?」(あなたのこくせきはなんですか?). He has dual nationality「彼は二重国籍を持っています」(かれはにじゅうこくせきをもっています). The word is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings.
Radical
竹
Stroke Count
20JLPT
N2Grade
8Frequency
1618
Handwriting
kanji
鎖Meaning
Chain
Reading
kusari
とざtoza
onyomiさsa
Parts
釒Gold (金)貝Shellfish
Example Word
鎖: chain. The Japanese noun '鎖 (くさり)' means 'chain'. It refers to a series of connected links, typically made of metal, used for fastening, securing, or pulling objects. This word can also metaphorically represent something that binds or restricts, such as in the context of emotional or societal constraints. Example sentences: The dog is tied with a chain「犬は鎖でつながれている」(いぬはくさりでつながれている). The chain of events led to the accident「一連の出来事が事故につながった」(いちれんのできごとがじこにつながった).
Radical
金
Stroke Count
18JLPT
N1Grade
7Frequency
1621
Handwriting
kanji
液Meaning
Liquid
Reading
eki
Parts
氵Water (水)夜Night
Example Word
液体: liquid. The Japanese noun '液体 (えきたい)' means 'liquid'. This term refers to a substance that flows freely but is of constant volume, having a consistency like that of water or oil. It is used in both scientific and everyday contexts to describe the state of matter between solid and gas. For example: water is a liquid「水は液体です」(みずはえきたいです). This bottle contains a strange liquid「このボトルには変な液体が入っている」(このボトルにはへんなえきたいがはいっている). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe something that resembles a liquid in its flow or form.
Radical
水
Stroke Count
11JLPT
N2Grade
5Frequency
1622
Handwriting
kanji
粧Meaning
Cosmetics, Apply makeup
Reading
shou
Parts
米Rice 庄
Example Word
化粧: makeup. The Japanese verbal noun '化粧 (けしょう)' primarily means 'makeup'. It refers to the act of applying cosmetics to enhance or alter one's appearance. This word is commonly used in contexts related to beauty, fashion, and personal grooming. For example: She is putting on makeup「彼女は化粧をしている」(かのじょは けしょうをしている). This store sells makeup「この店は化粧を売っている」(このみせはけしょうをうっている). Additionally, '化粧' can sometimes be used metaphorically to describe something being 'dressed up' or 'embellished', such as in the phrase '化粧直し (けしょうなおし)', which means 'touch-up' or 'refurbishment'.
Radical
米
Stroke Count
12JLPT
UnknownGrade
9Frequency
1624
Handwriting
kanji
犠Meaning
Sacrifice
Reading
gi
Parts
牛Cow 義Righteousness
Example Word
犠牲: sacrifice. The Japanese noun '犠牲 (ぎせい)' means 'sacrifice'. It refers to the act of giving up something valuable or important for the sake of others or a greater cause. This word is often used in contexts involving personal loss, such as in war, accidents, or even in daily life when someone makes a significant compromise. For example: He made a great sacrifice for his family「彼は家族のために大きな犠牲を払った」(かれはかぞくのためにおおきなぎせいをはらった). The victims of the disaster were a tragic sacrifice「その災害の犠牲者は悲劇的な犠牲だった」(そのさいがいのぎせいしゃはひげきてきなぎせいだった).
Radical
牛
Stroke Count
17JLPT
N1Grade
8Frequency
1626
Handwriting