Page 1
kanji
郎Meaning
Young man, Guy
Reading
onyomiろうrou
Parts
良Good ⻏Mound (阜)
Example Word
三郎: third son. The Japanese noun '三郎 (さぶろう)' is a male given name that traditionally means 'third son'. It is often used as a suffix in names to indicate birth order, specifically the third son in a family. This naming convention is rooted in historical Japanese culture, where the order of birth was significant. For example: His name is Taro, Jiro, and Saburo「彼の名前は太郎、次郎、三郎です」(かれのなまえはたろう、じろう、さぶろうです). Saburo is the third son in the family「三郎は家族の三男です」(さぶろうはかぞくのさんなんです). While it is less common in modern times, it still appears in traditional or formal contexts.
Radical
邑
Stroke Count
9JLPT
N1Grade
7Frequency
62
Handwriting
kanji
眼Meaning
Eyeball
Reading
kunyomiまなこmanako
onyomiげんgen
がんgan
Parts
目Eye 艮Stopping
Example Word
眼鏡: glasses. The Japanese noun '眼鏡 (めがね)' refers to 'glasses' or 'spectacles', which are worn to correct or protect vision. This term is commonly used in everyday conversation when referring to eyewear. For example: I need new glasses「新しい眼鏡が必要です」(あたらしいめがねがひつようです). He is wearing glasses「彼は眼鏡をかけています」(かれはめがねをかけています). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe someone's perspective or viewpoint, as in '彼は現実を眼鏡を通して見ている' (かれはげんじつをめがねをとおしてみている) - 'He sees reality through glasses', implying a filtered or biased view.
Radical
目
Stroke Count
11JLPT
N1Grade
5Frequency
112
Handwriting
kanji
僕Meaning
I, Me
Reading
onyomiぼくboku
Parts
亻Person (人)菐
Example Word
僕: I. The Japanese pronoun '僕 (ぼく)' is a first-person pronoun meaning 'I'. It is primarily used by males and carries a casual, humble, or boyish tone. It is often used in informal settings and can convey a sense of modesty or youthfulness. For example: I am a student「僕は学生です」(ぼくはがくせいです). I like this song「僕はこの歌が好きです」(ぼくはこのうたがすきです). While it is commonly used by younger males, some older men may also use it to maintain a casual or approachable tone. It is less formal than '私 (わたし)' and should be avoided in very formal or professional contexts.
Radical
人
Stroke Count
14JLPT
N1Grade
9Frequency
124
Handwriting
kanji
第Meaning
Ordinal number
Reading
onyomiだいdai
Parts
⺮Bamboo (竹)弟Younger brother
Example Word
落第: failure or flunking. The Japanese verbal noun '落第 (らくだい)' refers to failing or flunking, particularly in an academic context. It is commonly used to describe failing an exam, a course, or not meeting the required standards to advance to the next level. For example: He failed the exam「彼は試験に落第した」(かれはしけんにらくだいした). If you don't study, you'll flunk「勉強しないと落第するよ」(べんきょうしないとらくだいするよ). This term carries a strong connotation of not meeting expectations and is often used in educational settings.
Radical
竹
Stroke Count
11JLPT
N1Grade
3Frequency
173
Handwriting
kanji
吉Meaning
Lucky, Good luck
Reading
kunyomiよしyoshi
onyomiきつkitsu
きちkichi
Parts
士Samurai 口Mouth
Example Word
吉: luck. The Japanese noun '吉 (きち)' primarily means 'luck' or 'good fortune'. It is often used in contexts related to auspiciousness or favorable outcomes. This term is commonly seen in traditional settings, such as in fortune-telling (omikuji) or in names of places and people to convey a sense of prosperity. For example: This is a lucky day「今日は吉の日だ」(きょうはきちのひだ). The fortune slip says good luck「おみくじは吉と言っている」(おみくじはきちといっている). Note that '吉' can also appear in compound words or names, where it retains its connotation of positivity and good fortune.
Radical
口
Stroke Count
6JLPT
N1Grade
8Frequency
175
Handwriting
kanji
我Meaning
Self, Ego
Reading
kunyomiわwa
われware
onyomiがga
Parts
手Hand 戈
Example Word
我が国: our country. The Japanese noun '我が国 (わがくに)' means 'our country'. It is a formal and somewhat patriotic term used to refer to one's own nation, often in official or ceremonial contexts. The term carries a sense of pride and belonging. For example: We must protect our country「我が国を守らなければならない」(わがくにをまもらなければならない). Our country is beautiful「我が国は美しい」(わがくにはうつくしい). The term is often used in speeches, official documents, and news reports to emphasize national identity and unity.
Radical
戈
Stroke Count
7JLPT
N1Grade
6Frequency
182
Handwriting
kanji
結Meaning
Tie, Bind
Reading
kunyomiゆyu
むすmusu
onyomiけつketsu
Parts
糸Thread 吉Lucky, Good luck
Example Word
結合: combination or bonding. The Japanese verbal noun '結合 (けつごう)' refers to the act of combining or bonding things together. It is often used in scientific, technical, or abstract contexts to describe the union or integration of elements. For example: the combination of hydrogen and oxygen forms water「水素と酸素の結合は水を形成する」(すいそとさん そのけつごうはみずをけいせいする). The bonding of atoms creates molecules「原子の結合は分子を作る」(げんしのけつごうはぶんしをつくる). This term can also be used metaphorically to describe relationships or connections between people or ideas.
Radical
糸
Stroke Count
12JLPT
N1Grade
4Frequency
186
Handwriting
kanji
士Meaning
Samurai
Reading
onyomiしshi
Example Word
博士: doctor or expert. The Japanese noun '博士 (はかせ)' has two distinct meanings. The first meaning refers to someone who has earned a doctoral degree, such as a PhD, and is commonly used in academic contexts. For example: he is a doctor of physics「彼は物理学の博士です」(かれはぶつりがくのはかせです). The second meaning refers to someone who is an expert or highly skilled in a particular field, often used in a more general sense. For example: he is an expert in traditional Japanese art「彼は日本の伝統芸術の博士です」(かれはにほんのでんとうげいじゅつのはかせです). It's important to note that the context in which this word is used will determine whether it refers to an academic title or a general expert.
Radical
士
Stroke Count
3JLPT
N1Grade
4Frequency
189
Handwriting
kanji
義Meaning
Righteousness
Reading
onyomiぎgi
Parts
羊Sheep 我Self, Ego
Example Word
主義: doctrine or principle. The Japanese noun '主義 (しゅぎ)' refers to a principle, doctrine, or ideology that forms the basis of a system of thought, belief, or behavior. It is often used in contexts related to political, social, or philosophical systems. For example: He follows the principle of non-violence「彼は非暴力の主義を守る」(かれはひぼうりょくのしゅぎをまもる). This party's doctrine is based on equality「この党の主義は平等に基づいている」(このとうのしゅぎはびょうどうにもとづいている). The word can also be used to describe personal beliefs or guiding principles, such as in '彼の主義は正直さだ' (かれのしゅぎはしょうじきさだ) (His principle is honesty).
Radical
羊
Stroke Count
13JLPT
N1Grade
5Frequency
205
Handwriting
kanji
如Meaning
As, Likeness
Reading
kunyomiごと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
氏Meaning
Family name
Reading
kunyomiうじuji
onyomiしshi
Example Word
彼氏: boyfriend. The Japanese noun '彼氏 (かれし)' means 'boyfriend'. It is a commonly used term to refer to a male romantic partner. This word is casual and is often used in everyday conversation. For example: My boyfriend is kind「私の彼氏は優しい」(わたしのかれしはやさしい). I went to the movies with my boyfriend「彼氏と映画に行った」(かれしとえいがにいった). It is important to note that '彼氏' is specifically used for romantic relationships and not for male friends in general. The term '彼 (かれ)' can also mean 'he' or 'boyfriend', but '彼氏' is more commonly used to clearly indicate a romantic relationship.
Radical
氏
Stroke Count
4JLPT
N1Grade
4Frequency
231
Handwriting
kanji
又Meaning
Again
Reading
kunyomiまたmata
onyomiまたmata
Example Word
又: again or also. The Japanese adverb '