Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Big

Reading

Parts

一One 人Person

Example Word

大金: large amount of money. The Japanese noun '大金 (たいきん)' refers to a 'large amount of money'. This word is often used to describe a significant sum of money, either in the context of wealth, expenses, or financial transactions. It carries a nuance of something substantial or noteworthy in terms of monetary value. For example: He inherited a large amount of money「彼は大金を相続した」(かれはたいきんをそうぞくした). Spending a large amount of money on a car「車に大金を使う」(くるまにたいきんをつかう). The word is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to emphasize the scale of the financial amount being discussed.

Radical

大

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

6

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Substitute, Era

Reading

Parts

亻Person (人)弋Ceremony

Example Word

近代: modern. The Japanese noun '近代 (きんだい)' refers to the 'modern' era or period, typically in the context of history or society. It often denotes the period from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century, characterized by industrialization, modernization, and significant cultural and political changes. For example: Japan modernized during the Meiji era「日本は明治時代に近代化した」(にほんはめいじじだいできんだいかした). Modern architecture is fascinating「近代建築は魅力的だ」(きんだいけんちくはみりょくてきだ). The word is commonly used in historical, cultural, and academic discussions to describe the transition from traditional to contemporary society.

Radical

人

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

78

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Ordinal number

Reading

Parts

⺮Bamboo (竹)弟Younger brother

Example Word

第一: first. The Japanese noun '第一 (だいいち)' means 'first'. It is used to indicate the initial position in a sequence or the primary importance of something. This word can be used in various contexts, such as ranking, priority, or order. For example: This is my first time in Japan「これは私の第一の日本です」(これはわたしのだいいちのにほんです). The first priority is safety「第一の優先は安全です」(だいいちのゆうせんはあんぜんです). It can also be used in compound words like '第一印象 (だいいちいんしょう)' (first impression).

Radical

竹

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

173

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Topic

Reading

Parts

是Right, Absolutely 頁Page

Example Word

宿題: homework. The Japanese noun '宿題 (しゅくだい)' means 'homework'. It refers to tasks or assignments given to students to complete outside of class. This word is commonly used in educational contexts and is often associated with schoolwork. For example: I have a lot of homework「宿題がたくさんある」(しゅくだいがたくさんある). Did you finish your homework?「宿題は終わった？」(しゅくだいはおわった？). The word can also be used more broadly to refer to any pending task or responsibility, though this usage is less common.

Radical

頁

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

285

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Pedestal, Machine

Reading

Parts

厶Private 口Mouth

Example Word

舞台: stage. The Japanese noun '舞台 (ぶたい)' primarily means 'stage' as in a physical platform where performances take place. It is commonly used in contexts related to theater, concerts, and other performances. For example: The actor stood on the stage「俳優は舞台に立った」(はいゆうはぶたいにたった). The play will be performed on this stage「この舞台でその劇が上演される」(このぶたいでそのげきがじょうえんされる). Additionally, '舞台' can metaphorically refer to a setting or scene where significant events occur, such as in '人生の舞台 (じんせいのぶたい)' (the stage of life). This word is versatile and deeply embedded in both literal and figurative Japanese expressions.

Radical

口

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

364

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Younger brother

Reading

Parts

丿Katakana no 弓Bow 丨Stick 丷Divide

Example Word

兄弟: siblings. The Japanese noun '兄弟 (きょうだい)' refers to siblings, including both brothers and sisters. It is a gender-neutral term that can be used to describe a group of siblings or to refer to one's own brothers and sisters collectively. For example: I have three siblings「私には兄弟が三人います」(わたしにはきょうだいがさんにんいます). My siblings are kind「私の兄弟は優しいです」(わたしのきょうだいはやさしいです). Note that '兄弟' can also be used in a broader sense to refer to close friends or comrades, implying a bond similar to that of siblings, though this usage is less common and context-dependent.

Radical

弓

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

518

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

But, Nara

Reading

Parts

大Big 示Show, Indicate

Radical

大

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1248

Handwriting