Jōyō KanjiOrganized by Onyomi reading

kanji

Meaning

Year

Reading

Parts

厂Cliff 午Noon

Example Word

晩年: later years. The Japanese noun '晩年 (ばんねん)' refers to the later years of someone's life, often implying the period of old age or the final stage of life. It is commonly used to describe the time when someone is retired or reflecting on their life. For example: He spent his later years in peace「彼は晩年を平和に過ごした」(かれはばんねんをへいわにすごした). The artist created his best works in his later years「その芸術家は晩年に最高の作品を作った」(そのげいじゅつかはばんねんにさいこうのさくひんをつくった). This term carries a nuanced sense of reflection and often implies a period of life marked by wisdom or culmination of experiences.

Radical

干

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

37

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sort of thing, In that case

Reading

Parts

火Fire 肰

Example Word

然り: correct. The Japanese verb '然り (しかり)' is a classical or formal term meaning 'correct' or 'to be so'. It is often used in written or formal contexts to affirm or agree with a statement. In modern Japanese, it is less commonly used in everyday conversation but may appear in literature, legal documents, or formal speeches. For example: That is correct「それは然り」(それはしかり). The decision is correct「その決定は然り」(そのけっていはしかり). Note that this verb is often used in its classical form and may sound archaic in casual settings.

Radical

火

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

73

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Thought

Reading

Parts

今Now 心Heart

Example Word

記念日: anniversary. The Japanese noun '記念日 (きねんび)' refers to a day of commemoration or celebration, often marking a significant event such as a wedding anniversary, a historical event, or a personal milestone. It is commonly used in contexts like birthdays, national holidays, or special occasions. For example: Today is our wedding anniversary「今日は私たちの結婚記念日です」(きょうはわたしたちのけっこんきねんびです). The school's founding anniversary is next week「学校の創立記念日は来週です」(がっこうのそうりつきねんびはらいしゅうです). The word can also be used more broadly to refer to any day that holds special significance, such as a first date or a memorable achievement.

Radical

心

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

282

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Relation, Edge

Reading

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

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

495

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Burn

Reading

Parts

火Fire 然Sort of thing, In that case

Example Word

燃やす: burn. The Japanese verb '燃やす (もやす)' means 'to burn'. It is used to describe the action of setting something on fire or causing it to combust. This verb can be used for both literal and metaphorical contexts. For example: He burned the old letters「彼は古い手紙を燃やした」(かれはふるいてがみをもやした). The athlete burned with determination「その選手は決意に燃えていた」(そのせんしゅはけついにもえていた). In metaphorical usage, it often conveys intense emotion or passion, such as burning with desire or ambition.

Radical

火

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

990

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Wrenching

Reading

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

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1886

Handwriting

kanji

Meaning

Sticky

Reading

Parts

米Rice 占Fortune telling

Radical

米

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

1944

Handwriting