Jōyō KanjiOrganized by School Grade
First Grade
kanji
人Meaning
Person
Reading
hito
りri
onyomiじんjin
にんnin
Parts
丿Katakana no 乀Stretch
Example Word
夫人: wife or madam. The Japanese noun '夫人 (ふじん)' has two primary meanings. The first meaning is 'wife', specifically referring to someone's wife, often in a formal or respectful context. For example: the president's wife「大統領の夫人」(だいとうりょうのふじん). The second meaning is 'madam', used as a polite or formal way to address or refer to a woman, particularly one of high status. For example: Madam Tanaka is here「田中夫人がいらっしゃいます」(たなかふじんがいらっしゃいます). This term is often used in formal settings or when showing respect.
Radical
人
Stroke Count
2JLPT
N5Grade
1Frequency
1
Radical Forms
𠂉, 亻, 𠆢
Handwriting
kanji
一Meaning
One
Reading
hito
onyomiいちichi
いつitsu
Example Word
一流: top class. The Japanese noun '一流 (いちりゅう)' means 'top class' or 'first-rate'. It is used to describe something or someone that is of the highest quality, rank, or standard in a particular field. For example: He is a top-class chef「彼は一流のシェフです」(かれはいちりゅうのシェフです). This hotel is first-rate「このホテルは一流です」(このホテルはいちりゅうです). The term can be applied to various contexts, such as art, cuisine, education, or professional skills, to denote excellence and superiority.
Radical
一
Stroke Count
1JLPT
N5Grade
1Frequency
2
Handwriting
kanji
見Meaning
See
Reading
mi
onyomiけんken
Parts
儿Legs 目Eye
Example Word
見舞い: visit or sympathy. The Japanese noun '見舞い (みまい)' can mean either 'visit' or 'sympathy', depending on the context. When referring to a visit, it typically implies visiting someone who is sick, hospitalized, or in a difficult situation. For example: I went to visit my friend in the hospital「友達の見舞いに行った」(ともだちのみまいにいった). When referring to sympathy, it often involves expressing condolences or offering comfort to someone who has experienced a loss or hardship. For example: I sent a sympathy gift「見舞いの品を送った」(みまいのしなをおくった). The word is commonly used in phrases like 'お見舞い (おみまい)', which adds politeness and is often used when visiting someone in the hospital or sending a gift to show sympathy.
Radical
見
Stroke Count
7JLPT
N5Grade
1Frequency
3
Handwriting
kanji
出Meaning
Exit
Reading
de
だda
onyomiしゅつshutsu
Parts
凵Open box 山Mountain
Example Word
日の出: sunrise. The Japanese noun '日の出 (ひので)' means 'sunrise'. It refers to the moment when the sun appears above the horizon in the morning. This word is often used in contexts related to nature, time, or poetic expressions. For example: I woke up early to see the sunrise「日の出を見るために早起きした」(ひのでをみるためにはやおきした). The sunrise was beautiful this morning「今朝の日の出は美しかった」(けさのひのではうつくしかった). The word can also symbolize new beginnings or hope, as the sunrise marks the start of a new day.
Radical
凵
Stroke Count
5JLPT
N5Grade
1Frequency
4
Handwriting
kanji
大Meaning
Big
Reading
oo
onyomiだいdai
たいtai
Parts
一One 人Person
Example Word
大工: carpenter. The Japanese noun '大工 (だいく)' refers to a 'carpenter', a skilled worker who builds or repairs wooden structures. This term is commonly used to describe professionals who work in construction, particularly with wood. For example: The carpenter built a house「大工が家を建てた」(だいくがいえをたてた). I hired a carpenter to fix the door「ドアを直すために大工を雇った」(ドアをなおすためにだいくをやとった). The word carries a sense of craftsmanship and expertise in woodworking.
Radical
大
Stroke Count
3JLPT
N5Grade
1Frequency
6
Handwriting
kanji
子Meaning
Child
Reading
ko
onyomiすsu
しshi
Parts
了Finish, Complete 一One
Example Word
拍子: beat. The Japanese noun '拍子 (ひょうし)' primarily refers to the 'beat' or 'rhythm' in music, but it can also denote the timing or moment of an event. It is often used in contexts related to music, dance, or even the timing of actions. For example: keep the beat「拍子を取る」(ひょうしをとる). At that moment「その拍子に」(そのひょうしに). The word can also imply a sudden or coincidental occurrence, as in 'in the heat of the moment'.
Radical
子
Stroke Count
3JLPT
N5Grade
1Frequency
7
Handwriting
kanji
日Meaning
Day, Sun
Reading
hi
かka
onyomiじつjitsu
にちnichi
Parts
口Mouth 一One
Example Word
十日: ten days or tenth. The Japanese noun '十日 (とおか)' has two primary meanings. First, it refers to the 'tenth day' of the month, as in 'the tenth of January'「一月十日」(いちがつとおか). Second, it can also refer to a 'ten-day period', often used in contexts like weather forecasts or schedules, such as 'a ten-day forecast'「十日予報」(とおかよほう). The word is commonly used in dates and time-related expressions. For example: Today is the tenth「今日は十日です」(きょうはとおかです). The event lasts for ten days「そのイベントは十日間続きます」(そのイベントはとおかかんつづきます).
Radical
日
Stroke Count
4JLPT
N5Grade
1Frequency
8
Handwriting
kanji
中Meaning
Center
Reading
naka
onyomiちゅうchuu
Parts
口Mouth 丨Stick
Example Word
暑中見舞い: summer greeting. The Japanese noun '暑中見舞い (しょちゅ うみまい)' refers to a traditional summer greeting card sent during the hottest part of the year, typically in July or August. It is a way to inquire about someone's well-being and express concern for their health during the intense summer heat. These cards are often sent to friends, family, or colleagues and may include updates about the sender's life or seasonal greetings. Example sentences: I sent a summer greeting to my friend「友達に暑中見舞いを送りました」(ともだちにしょちゅうみまいをおくりました). Did you receive a summer greeting card?「暑中見舞いをもらいましたか?」(しょちゅうみまいをもらいましたか?).
Radical
丨
Stroke Count
4JLPT
N5Grade
1Frequency
11
Handwriting
kanji
上Meaning
Up
Reading
ue
あa
onyomiじょうjou
Parts
一One 卜Divination
Example Word
上昇: rise or ascent. The Japanese verbal noun '上昇 (じょうしょう)' primarily means 'rise' or 'ascent'. It is used to describe an upward movement or increase in level, status, or quantity. This word is often used in contexts such as economics, physics, or general descriptions of upward motion. For example: The balloon's rise was rapid「風船の上昇は速かった」(ふうせんのじょうしょうははやかった). The stock market experienced a sharp rise「株価が急激に上昇した」(かぶかがきゅうげきにじょうしょうした). Note that '上昇' can also be used metaphorically, such as in describing a person's rise in status or rank.
Radical
一
Stroke Count
3JLPT
N5Grade
1Frequency
12
Radical Form
丄
Handwriting
kanji
二Meaning
Two
Reading
futa
onyomiにni
Parts
一One
Example Word
二十日: twentieth or twenty days. The Japanese noun '二十日 (はつか)' has two distinct meanings. First, it can refer to the 20th day of the month, as in 'today is the 20th'「今日は二十日です」(きょうははつかです). Second, it can mean a period of 20 days, as in 'I will be away for 20 days'「二十日間留守にします」(はつかかんるすにします). The reading 'はつか' is specific to this word and should not be confused with other readings of the kanji 二十 (にじゅう) meaning 'twenty'. This word is commonly used in dates and time-related expressions.
Radical
二
Stroke Count
2JLPT
N5Grade
1Frequency
17
Handwriting
kanji
手Meaning
Hand
Reading
te
onyomiしゅshu
ずzu
Parts
丿Katakana no 二Two 亅Barb
Example Word
入手: acquisition. The Japanese noun '入手 (にゅうしゅ)' means 'acquisition' or 'obtaining'. It refers to the act of acquiring or obtaining something, often something valuable or hard to get. This word is commonly used in contexts where someone has successfully obtained an item, information, or resource. For example: I finally acquired the rare book「やっとその珍しい本を入手した」(やっとそのめずらしいほんをにゅうしゅした). The company obtained the necessary permits「会社は必要な許可を入手した」(かいしゃはひつようなきょかをにゅうしゅした). It is often used in formal or business contexts.
Radical
手
Stroke Count
4JLPT
N4Grade
1Frequency
23
Radical Form
扌
Handwriting
kanji
生Meaning
Life
Reading
nama
うu
いi
onyomiしょうshou
せいsei
Parts
土Soil 𠂉Person (人)
Example Word
生き生きと: vividly. The Japanese adverb '生き生きと (いきいきと)' means 'vividly' or 'lively'. It is used to describe actions or states that are full of life, energy, or vitality. This adverb often conveys a sense of freshness, dynamism, or enthusiasm. For example: She spoke vividly about her trip「彼女は旅行について生き生きと話した」(かのじょはりょこうについていきいきとはなした). The flowers bloomed vividly in the garden「庭の花が生き生きと咲いていた」(にわのはないきいきとさいていた). This word is commonly used in contexts where something or someone appears to be full of life or energy, making it a versatile and expressive term in Japanese.
Radical
生
Stroke Count
5JLPT
N5Grade
1Frequency
24
Radical Form
龶
Handwriting
kanji
気Meaning
Spirit
Reading
ki
けke
Parts
㐅Katakana me 气Air
Example Word
意気: spirit or enthusiasm. The Japanese noun '意気 (いき)' refers to one's spirit, enthusiasm, or determination. It is often used to describe a person's vigor, motivation, or the energy they put into their actions. This word is commonly used in contexts related to teamwork, ambition, or personal drive. For example: His spirit is admirable「彼の意気は立派だ」(かれのいきはりっぱだ). They worked with great enthusiasm「彼らは意気込んで働いた」(かれらはいきごんではたらいた). Note that '意気' can also appear in compound words like '