Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Frequency of Use
Frequency Group 3
kanji
形Meaning
Shape
Reading
kata
かたちkatachi
onyomiけいkei
ぎょうgyou
Parts
彡Fur 开Open
Example Word
形式的: formal. The Japanese adjective '形式的 (けいしきてき)' means 'formal'. It is used to describe something that adheres strictly to established forms, rules, or conventions, often implying a lack of genuine substance or feeling. For example: The meeting was just a formality「会議は形式的なものだった」(かいぎはけいしきてきなものだった). Their apology seemed formal and insincere「彼らの謝罪は形式的で誠意が感じられなかった」(かれらのしゃざいはけいしきてきでせいいがかんじられなかった). This word is often used in contexts where actions or procedures are done out of obligation rather than genuine intent.
Radical
彡
Stroke Count
7JLPT
N3Grade
2Frequency
201
Handwriting
kanji
他Meaning
Other
Radical Form Of
亻
Reading
hoka
onyomiたta
Parts
亻Person (人)也To be
Example Word
他人: others. The Japanese noun '他人 (たにん)' means 'others' or 'other people'. It refers to people who are not part of one's immediate circle, such as family or close friends. This word emphasizes a sense of separation or unfamiliarity. For example: Don't rely on others「他人に頼るな」(たにんにたよるな). He is just a stranger to me「彼は私にとってただの他人だ」(かれはわたしにとってただのたにんだ). The word can also carry a nuance of emotional distance, as in '他人事 (たにんごと)' (someone else's problem).
Radical
人
Stroke Count
5JLPT
N3Grade
3Frequency
202
Handwriting
kanji
命Meaning
Command, Life
Reading
inochi
onyomiめいmei
みょうmyou
Parts
令Orders 口Mouth
Example Word
命令: order. The Japanese verbal noun '命令 (めいれい)' means 'order' or 'command'. It is used to describe an authoritative directive given by someone in a position of authority, such as a boss, teacher, or military officer. This term is often used in formal or hierarchical contexts. For example: The boss gave an order「上司が命令を出した」(じょうしがめいれいをだした). The soldier followed the command「兵士は命令に従った」(へいしはめいれいにしたがった). It can also be used in legal or technical contexts, such as in programming, where it refers to a command given to a computer. For example: Execute the command「命令を実行しなさい」(めいれいをじっこうしなさい).
Radical
口
Stroke Count
8JLPT
N3Grade
3Frequency
203
Handwriting
kanji
成Meaning
Become
Reading
na
onyomiじょうjou
せいsei
Parts
戊
Example Word
生成: generation. The Japanese noun '生成 (せいせい)' primarily means 'generation' or 'creation'. It refers to the process of producing or bringing something into existence. This term is often used in contexts related to technology, biology, or abstract concepts. For example: the generation of electricity「電気の生成」(でんきのせいせい). The creation of new ideas「新しいアイデアの生成」(あたらしいアイデアのせいせい). In some contexts, it can also imply the natural formation or development of something, such as the formation of clouds「雲の生成」(くものせいせい).
Radical
戈
Stroke Count
6JLPT
N3Grade
4Frequency
204
Handwriting
kanji
義Meaning
Righteousness
Reading
gi
Parts
羊Sheep 我Self, Ego
Example Word
名義: name or title. The Japanese noun '名義 (めいぎ)' refers to the name under which something is registered or held, often used in legal or formal contexts. It can denote the official name or title associated with a property, account, or position. For example: The property is under his name「その不動産は彼の名義です」(そのふどうさんはかれのめいぎです). She holds the title of director「彼女はディレクターの名義を持っています」(かのじょはディレクターのめいぎをもっています). The word can also imply the formal or legal representation of an entity, such as a company or organization.
Radical
羊
Stroke Count
13JLPT
N1Grade
5Frequency
205
Handwriting
kanji
想Meaning
Concept
Reading
omo
onyomiそうsou
Parts
心Heart 相Mutual
Example Word
可哀想: pitiful. The Japanese adjectival noun '可哀想 (かわいそう)' means 'pitiful' or 'deserving of sympathy'. It is used to express a feeling of pity or compassion towards someone or something in an unfortunate situation. This word is often used when observing someone's suffering, misfortune, or hardship. For example: That stray dog looks pitiful「その野良犬は可哀想だ」(そののらいぬはかわいそうだ). I feel sorry for her「彼女が可哀想だ」(かのじょがかわいそうだ). It can also be used to describe situations or objects that evoke a sense of sadness or sympathy, such as a broken toy or a neglected plant. The nuance is empathetic and often carries a sense of wanting to help or comfort the subject.
Radical
心
Stroke Count
13JLPT
N3Grade
3Frequency
206
Handwriting
kanji
早Meaning
Early, Fast
Reading
haya
onyomiそうsou
さsa
Parts
日Day, Sun 十Ten
Example Word
早口: fast speech. The Japanese noun '早口 (はやくち)' refers to speaking quickly or rapidly. It is often used to describe someone who talks at a fast pace, which can sometimes make it difficult for others to understand. This term can be used in various contexts, such as describing a person's speaking style or commenting on the speed of speech in a conversation. For example: He speaks so fast that I can't understand him「彼は早口で話すので、私には理解できない」(かれははやくちではなすので、わたしにはりかいできない). Please speak more slowly, your fast speech is hard to follow「もっとゆっくり話してください、早口だと聞き取りにくいです」(もっとゆっくりはなしてください、はやくちだとききとりにくいです).
Radical
日
Stroke Count
6JLPT
N4Grade
1Frequency
207
Handwriting
kanji
古Meaning
Old
Reading
furu
onyomiこko
Parts
十Ten 口Mouth
Example Word
古く: old. The Japanese noun '古く (ふるく)' is the adverbial form of the adjective '古い (ふるい)', meaning 'old'. It is used to describe something that has existed for a long time or is from a past era. This form is often used to modify verbs or other adjectives, indicating that something is done in an old-fashioned or traditional way. For example: This tradition is old「この伝統は古くからある」(このでんとうはふるくからある). The house was built in an old style「その家は古く建てられた」(そのいえはふるくたてられた). Note that '古く' is not typically used as a standalone noun but rather as an adverb to describe actions or states.
Radical
口
Stroke Count
5JLPT
N4Grade
2Frequency
208
Handwriting
kanji
愛Meaning
Love
Reading
mana
いとito
onyomiあいai
Parts
心Heart 爪Claw 冖Crown 夂Late
Example Word
可愛がる: dote. The Japanese verb '可愛がる (かわいがる)' means 'to dote on' or 'to treat with affection'. It is used to describe the act of showing love, care, or fondness towards someone or something, often in a nurturing or protective way. This verb is commonly used when referring to how someone treats a child, a pet, or even a close friend. For example: She dotes on her cat「彼女は猫を可愛がる」(かのじょはねこをかわいがる). The teacher dotes on her students「先生は生徒たちを可愛がる」(せんせいはせいとたちをかわいがる). The nuance of this verb often implies a sense of indulgence or pampering, and it is typically used in positive contexts.
Radical
心
Stroke Count
13JLPT
N3Grade
4Frequency
209
Handwriting
kanji
朝Meaning
Morning
Reading
asa
onyomiちょうchou
Parts
月Moon, Month 龺Eminent (卓)
Example Word
今朝: morning. The Japanese noun '今朝 (けさ)' specifically refers to 'this morning'. It is used to talk about events or actions that occurred on the morning of the current day. This word is distinct from other morning-related terms like '朝 (あさ)', which refers to morning in a general sense. For example: I woke up early this morning「今朝は早く起きた」(けさははやくおきた). It was cold this morning「今朝は寒かった」(けさはさむかった). The term '今朝' is often used in daily conversations to specify the timing of events that happened earlier in the day.
Radical
月
Stroke Count
12JLPT
N4Grade
2Frequency
210
Handwriting
kanji
町Meaning
Town
Reading
machi
onyomiちょうchou
Parts
田Rice field 丁Street
Example Word
町外れ: outskirts. The Japanese noun '町外れ (まちはずれ)' refers to the outskirts or edge of a town. It is used to describe areas that are on the periphery of a town or city, often less populated or developed compared to the central areas. For example: The park is on the outskirts of town「公園は町外れにある」(こうえんはまちはずれにある). They built a new factory on the outskirts「彼らは町外れに新しい工場を建てた」(かれらはまちはずれにあたらしいこうじょうをたてた). This term is commonly used in both casual and formal contexts to describe locations that are away from the main part of a town.
Radical
田
Stroke Count
7JLPT
N4Grade
1Frequency
211
Handwriting
kanji
処Meaning
Deal with
Reading
sho
Parts
夂Late 几
Example Word
処理: processing or disposal. The Japanese verbal noun '処理 (しょり)' primarily means 'processing' or 'disposal', depending on the context. It refers to the act of handling, managing, or dealing with something systematically. In a technical or industrial context, it often refers to data processing or material processing. In everyday usage, it can also mean the disposal of waste or resolving a situation. For example: data processing is important「データの処理は重要です」(データのしょりはじゅうようです). Please dispose of the garbage properly「ゴミを適切に処理してください」(ゴミをてきせつにしょりしてください). The nuance of '処理' often implies a systematic or methodical approach to handling tasks or materials.
Radical
几
Stroke Count
5JLPT
N3Grade
6Frequency
212
Handwriting
kanji
解Meaning
Solve, Untie
Reading
to
onyomiげge
かいkai
Parts
角Corner, Angle 刀Sword 牛Cow
Example Word
解放: release. The Japanese verbal noun '解放 (かいほう)' means 'release' or 'liberation'. It is used to describe the act of setting something or someone free from confinement, restriction, or control. This word can be applied in various contexts, such as physical release, emotional liberation, or even the release of information. For example: The prisoners were released「囚人が解放された」(しゅうじんがかいほうされた). She felt a sense of liberation「彼女は解放感を感じた」(かのじょはかいほうかんをかんじた). It is also commonly used in phrases like '解放する (かいほうする)' (to release) and '解放感 (かいほうかん)' (feeling of liberation).
Radical
角
Stroke Count
13JLPT
N3Grade
5Frequency
213
Handwriting
kanji
常Meaning
Usual, Normal
Reading
toko
つねtsune
onyomiじょうjou
Parts
尚Still, Esteem 巾Towel
Example Word
日常: daily. The Japanese noun '日常 (にちじょう)' refers to the concept of 'daily life' or 'everyday routine'. It encompasses the ordinary, day-to-day activities and experiences that make up one's regular life. This term is often used to describe the mundane aspects of life, as opposed to special or extraordinary events. For example: I enjoy my daily life「私は日常を楽しんでいます」(わたしはにちじょうをたのしんでい ます). The daily routine is important「日常のルーティンは大切です」(にちじょうのルーティンはたいせつです). It can also be used in phrases like '日常生活 (にちじょうせいかつ)' which means 'daily life' or 'everyday life'.
Radical
巾
Stroke Count
11JLPT
N3Grade
5Frequency
214
Handwriting
kanji
関Meaning
Barrier, Related
Reading
seki
onyomiかんkan
Parts
門Gate 关Close
Example Word
無関係: unrelated. The Japanese adjectival noun '無関係 (むかんけい)' means 'unrelated'. It is used to describe something that has no connection or relevance to a particular matter or situation. This term is often used in both formal and informal contexts to indicate that a subject is not involved or pertinent. For example: That topic is unrelated to our discussion「その話題は私たちの議論と無関係です」(そのわだいはわたしたちのぎろんとむかんけいです). He is completely unrelated to the incident「彼はその事件と全く無関係です」(かれはそのじけんとまったくむかんけいです). The term can also be used to describe people, events, or objects that are not connected in any way.
Radical
門
Stroke Count
14JLPT
N3Grade
4Frequency
215
Handwriting
kanji
土Meaning
Soil
Reading
tsuchi
onyomiとto
どdo
Parts
一One 十Ten
Example Word
国土: land. The Japanese noun '国土 (こくど)' refers to the land or territory of a country. It is often used in contexts discussing geography, national borders, or the physical extent of a nation. For example: Japan's land is mountainous「日本の国土は山が多い」(にほんのこくどはやまがおおい). Protecting the land is important「国土を守ることは大切だ」(こくどをまもることはたいせつだ). This term is commonly used in formal or official contexts, such as government documents or news reports.
Radical
土
Stroke Count
3JLPT
N5Grade
1Frequency
216
Handwriting
kanji
如Meaning
As, Likeness
Reading
goto
onyomiじょjo
にょnyo
Parts
女Woman 口Mouth
Example Word
如何: what or how. The Japanese adjectival noun '如何 (いかが)' is used to inquire about the state, condition, or quality of something. It can mean 'how' or 'what' depending on the context. It is often used in polite or formal situations to ask for opinions or to make suggestions. For example: How is the weather?「天気は如何ですか?」(てんきはいかがですか). What do you think?「ご意見は如何ですか?」(ごいけんはいかがですか). It can also be used to make polite offers, such as: Would you like some tea?「お茶はいかがですか?」(おちゃはいかがですか). The word carries a nuance of politeness and is commonly used in formal conversations or customer service settings.
Radical
女
Stroke Count
6JLPT
N1Grade
8Frequency
217
Handwriting
kanji
兵Meaning
Soldier
Reading
hei
ひょうhyou
Parts
丘Hill 八Eight
Example Word
兵隊: soldier. The Japanese noun '兵隊 (へいたい)' refers to a 'soldier'. It is commonly used to describe a member of the military, particularly in the context of ground forces. The term can be used in both historical and modern contexts, but it often carries a slightly informal or colloquial tone compared to more formal terms like '