Page 1
kanji
年Meaning
Year
Reading
kunyomiとしtoshi
onyomiねんnen
Parts
厂Cliff 午Noon
Example Word
少年: boy. The Japanese noun '少年 (しょうねん)' refers to a 'boy', typically a young male child or adolescent. It is commonly used to describe boys in their pre-teen or teenage years. The term can also carry a sense of youthfulness or innocence. For example: The boy is running「少年は走っている」(しょうねんははしっている). I saw a boy playing in the park「公園で遊んでいる少年を見た」(こうえんであそんでいるしょうねんをみた). The word is often used in literature, media, and everyday conversation to refer to young males.
Radical
干
Stroke Count
6JLPT
N5Grade
1Frequency
37
Handwriting
kanji
然Meaning
Sort of thing, In that case
Reading
kunyomiさsa
しかshika
onyomiねんnen
ぜんzen
Parts
火Fire 肰
Example Word
当然: natural or obvious. The Japanese adjectival noun '当然 (とうぜん)' can mean 'natural' or 'obvious'. It is used to describe something that is expected, self-evident, or logically follows from a situation. This word often conveys a sense of inevitability or something that should be taken for granted. For example: It's natural that he won「彼が勝つのは当然だ」(かれがかつのはとうぜんだ). It's obvious that she would refuse「彼女が断るのは当然だ」(かのじょがことわるのはとうぜんだ). The word can also be used in contexts where something is considered a given or a matter of course, such as in '当然の結果 (とうぜんのけっか) (natural outcome)'.
Radical
火
Stroke Count
12JLPT
N3Grade
4Frequency
73
Handwriting
kanji
念Meaning
Thought
Reading
onyomiねんnen
Parts
今Now 心Heart
Example Word
理念: philosophy. The Japanese noun '理念 (りねん)' refers to a fundamental principle, ideal, or philosophy that serves as the guiding belief or concept behind something. It is often used in formal or academic contexts to describe the core values or theoretical foundation of an organization, system, or ideology. For example: The company's philosophy is based on sustainability「その会社の理念は持 続可能性に基づいている」(そのかいしゃのりねんはじぞくかのうせいにもとづいている). The educational philosophy emphasizes creativity「その教育理念は創造性を重視している」(そのきょういくりねんはそうぞうせいをじゅうししている). This word is commonly used in discussions about ethics, governance, or long-term visions.
Radical
心
Stroke Count
8JLPT
N3Grade
4Frequency
282
Handwriting
kanji
縁Meaning
Relation, Edge
Reading
kunyomiふちfuchi
onyomiねんnen
えんen
Parts
糸Thread 豕Pig
Example Word
縁: edge or fate. The Japanese noun '縁 (えん)' has two distinct meanings. The first meaning is 'fate' or 'destiny', referring to a connection or bond between people, often implying a predestined relationship. For example: We met by fate「私たちは縁で出会った」(わたしたちはえんでであった). The second meaning is 'edge' or 'rim', referring to the boundary or outer part of something. For example: The edge of the table is chipped「テーブルの縁が欠けている」(テーブルのえんがかけている). The context in which '縁' is used will determine whether it refers to fate or an edge, so pay attention to the surrounding words.
Radical
糸
Stroke Count
15JLPT
N1Grade
7Frequency
495
Handwriting
kanji
燃Meaning
Burn
Reading
kunyomiもmo
onyomiねんnen
Parts
火Fire 然Sort of thing, In that case
Example Word
燃える: burn. The Japanese verb '燃える (もえる)' means 'to burn'. It is used to describe the process of combustion, where something is consumed by fire. This verb can be used for both literal and metaphorical contexts. For example: the wood is burning「木が燃えている」(きがもえている). His passion for music burns brightly「彼の音楽への情熱が燃えている」(かれのおんがくへのじょうねつがもえている). Additionally, '燃える' can be used to describe intense emotions or desires, such as a burning ambition or a burning love.
Radical
火
Stroke Count
16JLPT
N2Grade
5Frequency
990
Handwriting
kanji
捻Meaning
Wrenching
Reading
kunyomiねne
ねじneji
ひねhine
onyomiじょうjou
ねんnen
Parts
扌Hand (手)念Thought
Example Word
捻る: twist. The Japanese verb '捻る (ひねる)' primarily means 'to twist'. It is used to describe the physical action of twisting something, such as turning a knob or wringing out a towel. It can also be used metaphorically to describe thinking hard or coming up with a clever idea. For example: He twisted the cap off the bottle「彼はボトルのキャップをひねった」(かれはボトルのキャップをひねった). She twisted her ankle while running「彼女は走っている間に足首をひねった」(かのじょははしっているあいだにあしくびをひねった). The writer twisted the plot to make it more interesting「作家はプロットをひねって面白くした」(さっかはプロットをひねっておもしろくした).
Radical
手
Stroke Count
11JLPT
UnknownGrade
10Frequency
1886
Handwriting